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Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 17 : The public representatives of Baramulla including the BDC chairperson, sarpanchs and panchs staged a protest demonstration against the recent government order of freezing the 14th FC account months before the deadline for utilization of funds.

They said the utilization of funds under the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) was earlier ensured up to 31 March 2023, however, a recent order stated that the leftover funds are to be surrendered to the Central Account.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesting PRIs termed it “totally against the people”. “How did the government issue such an order asking to surrender the amount to the central account as we have three months left for the utilization of funds,” they said.

“We had utilized 80% of funds till now. Rs 47 crores were to be utilized for sanitation, solar lights, transformers, etc”, they said.

They urged the government to revoke the order at the earliest “for the welfare of the people”.

An order copy in possession of KNO reads, “Sanction is hereby accorded to the freezing of funds for its further utilization out of accounts of Halqa Panchayats Block Offices & District Panchayat Offices excepting for ongoing Works under 14 Finance Commission Award with immediate effect. Consequent upon above, the available balance along with interest amount accrued thereupon lying in the bank accounts of Halqa Panchayats/ Block Officer & District Panchayat Offices be Immediately surrendered and transferred to the Central Account of 14h FCA viz, 0110040500000087, J&K Bank, Branch Moving Secretariat Jammu/ Srinagar.”

“Every Block Development Officer to ensure that Panchayat wise surrender statement, duly signed by concerned Panchayat Accounts Assistants and countersigned by Panchayat Secretaries is submitted to the office of Assistant Commissioner Panchayats (ACP) by 22nd January 2023”, it reads.

It directed the deputy commissioners to ensure time-bound compliance of the order and submit a certificate by January 31 so that no funds are left with panchayats on account of the 14th FC funds after the execution of the ongoing works and all remaining funds have been surrendered to the Central Account—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 17 : Jammu and Kashmir police chief, Dilbag Singh on Tuesday said that there are no threat inputs to the upcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra and that all security measures have been taken to facilitate it when it reaches the UT.

“I chaired a security review and BJY was also discussed. There is no threat to the Yatra. All security measures will be taken to facilitate it at district and range level,” DGP told reporters in Srinagar on the side-lines of a function as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Replying to a query, the DGP said police have got some vital clues with regard to the Rajouri attacks and that the success will be achieved soon. The DGP said that police have got some vital clues during the investigation. “The area is close to the forest and after frequent militant sightings, four-five unsuccessful operations have been launched. As far as investigation is concerned, we have got some solid clues and the arrests will be made soon. I hope that the success will be achieved soon,” he said.

DGP also said that “the main character behind terrorism in J&K and other parts of the country from across the border is being exposed at international level. The measures are being taken to tighten up the process against the involved people and notify them as terrorists. The profile of these persons is also being sent to the different organizations working against the terrorism.”

Meanwhile, DGP chaired a high level security review meeting in Srinagar in which senior officers of Kashmir Zone participated. A police spokesman said that the meeting reviewed the crime and security scenario of the Valley. He said that arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day were also discussed.

Addressing the officers, the DGP said that action against the terror ecosystem must be carried forward meticulously and in a coordinated manner. Although JK Police along with other forces have got successes across Jammu and Kashmir against the terrorists, stringent actions against the terror support system, narcotics and narco terror modules should be continued with an aim to bring an end to it, the spokesman said, adding that the DGP stressed upon the jurisdictional officers to ensure direct supervision of UAPA, NDPS and other special reported heinous cases so that the investigation and disposal of all pending cases as well as of new cases are brought to logical conclusion on priority.

Reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day functions, the DGP directed for ensuring all required and necessary security arrangements are in place. “He directed for coordination & synergy among all the stakeholders. He directed the officers that while dealing with any situation they should ensure that law-abiding people are not put to any inconvenience during their day-to-day activities. He also directed for stringent action against OGWs or anyone supporting terrorism, or narco terror modules in the UT,” the spokesman said—(KNO)

Jammu, Jan 17 : A major controversy has erupted over the participation of former minister Lal Singh in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra with a lawyer, who was at the forefront of a campaign to seek justice for eight-year-old Kathua child who was gang-raped and murdered in 2018, resigning from the Congress on Tuesday over allowing Singh to participate in the Yatra, which will enter Jammu & Kashmir this week.

In a series of tweets, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Advocate Deepika Pushkar Nath announced her resignation from the party, saying Lal Singh defended the rapists of the girl and divided the entire Jammu & Kashmir to protect the rapists.

“In view of Ch.Lal Singh’s proposal of joining @bharatjodo & @INCJammuKashmir allowing the same, I am left with no other option but to resign from @INCIndia .Lal Singh was responsible in sabotaging the Kathua rape case in 2018 by brazenly defending rapists,” Deepika tweeted.

Deepika, who was also spokesperson of J&K unit of Congress, said Lal Singh divided the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir to protect the rapists and Bharat Jodo Yatra is ideologically opposite to actions of the former minister.

“Lal Singh divided the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir to protect the rapists and @bharatjodo is ideologically opposite. On ideological grounds, I cannot share the party platform with such a person,” she said.

Lal Singh along with Chandra Prakash Ganga were forced to resign from Mehbooba Mufti-led council of ministers on April 13, 2018 over their participation in a rally in support of Kathua rapists.

After his ouster from the cabinet, Singh had led a massive campaign to seek CBI probe in Kathua rape and murder case, saying this was a conspiracy to defame entire Dogra community.

J&K police had then registered an FIR against brother of Lal Singh for using abusive language against then Chief Minster Mehbooba Mufti during a rally in Kathua

In January 2018, an eight-year-old nomadic Muslim girl in Rasana village of Kathua was kidnapped and raped in captivity after having been kept sedated for four days before she was bludgeoned to death.

The resignation of Deepika Singh would put Congress in tightspot and it would be interesting to watch whether the party would allow Singh to join Yatra—(KNO)

Srinagar, 17 January:- Stresses for stringent actions against terror support system, Narcotics & Narco terror modules

The Director General of Police, J&K, Shri Dilbag Singh today chaired a meeting of senior officers of Kashmir Zone to review the crime and security scenario of the valley at PCR, Kashmir. He also reviewed security arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day functions.

The meeting was attended by ADGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar, DIG CKR Sujit Kumar, SSP Srinagar Shri Rakesh Balwal, SSP PCR Zubair Ahmad Khan, SP Operation Srinagar at PCR, Srinagar while DIG NKR Vivek Gupta, DIG SKR Rayees Mohammad Bhat and other District SSsP & other Gazetted officers, AIG (T&P) J S Johar attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Addressing the officers the DGP complimented them for successfully achieving various goals which were set for the year 2022, he enjoined upon them to rigorously follow basic policing methods including human intelligence generation, record keeping and maintenance of Registers at Police Stations as per Police Rules. He said that action against terror ecosystem must be carried forward meticulously and in a coordinated manner. Although JK Police along with other forces have got successes across Jammu and Kashmir against the terrorists, stringent actions against the terror support system, narcotics and narco terror modules should be continued with an aim to bring an end to it, DGP directed.

DGP stressed upon the jurisdictional officers to ensure direct supervision of UAPA, NDPS and other special reported heinous cases so that the investigation and disposal of all pending cases as well as of new cases are brought to logical conclusion on priority. He directed that the quality of investigation and disposal of these cases needs to be further improved. He stressed for adopting the latest technology and standard practices to expedite investigation of cases on merits for judicial determination and directed the jurisdictional officers to hold regular review meetings to ensure better supervision and public deliverance.

The DGP also said public cooperation has helped to make our efforts fruitful in maintaining law and order. He reiterated that the support of the community is essential to maintain a terror free environment and more and more public cooperation should be ensured by prioritizing community-based programmes. He directed the officers that all possible help should be extended to the public as and when required.

Reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day functions, the DGP directed for ensuring all required and necessary security arrangements are in place. He directed for coordination & synergy among all the stake holders. He directed the officers that while dealing with any situation they should ensure that law-abiding people are not put to any inconvenience during their day-to-day activities. He also directed for stringent action against OGWs or anyone supporting terrorism, or narco terror modules in the UT.

ADGP, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar briefed the DGP J&K about crime/security scenario in Kashmir zone. Range DIsG and District Superintendents of Police of the Zone also gave detailed resumes of crime, and security scenarios in their respective jurisdictions. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks.

Srinagar, Jan 17: The weatherman on Tuesday said that fresh Western Disturbance is going to hit Jammu and Kashmir from January 22 onwards during which the weather will remain erratic.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), deputy director Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said fresh Western Disturbance is going to hit the region from January 22 to 24.

He said from January 18 there will be back to back feeble Western Disturbances till 22 and between 22 and 24 January it is expected that moderate to strong WDs will hit Jammu and Kashmir.

“During this period there will be chances of light to moderate snowfall in plains and moderate to heavy snowfall in upper reached in the Kashmir Valley. We are expecting a good system during this period,” he said.

He also said people should avoid venturing out in slopes and avalanche prone areas during this period—(KNO)

Two militants who were killed in a brief encounter near court complex in central Kashmir’s Budgam this morning have been identified affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants outfit, Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar said.

Quoting ADGP, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar, Kashmir Zone Police in tweet said, “Both the killed militants are identified as Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Sheikh of Pulwama linked with the proscribed militant outfit LeT. Both the militants earlier escaped from recent encounter.”

Srinagar, Jan 17 : Two militants killed in a retaliatory fire after security forces tried to stop a vehicle during area domination in central Kashmir’s Budgam district had escaped from a recent encounter in the area, police said here.

Quoting additional director general, Kashmir zone police on its official Twitter handle, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed that both militants belonged to LeT militant outfit

“Both the killed terrorists are identified as Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Sheikh of Pulwama linked with the proscribed terror outfit LeT. Both the terrorists earlier escaped from recent encounter: ADGP Kashmir,” police tweeted.

Earlier police said on specific input, joint area domination party of Army & Police tried to stop one suspected vehicle, militants fired upon and in retaliation two militants were killed—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Jan 16 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday suspended Executive Officer, Municipal Council Kupwara, Anees Ahmed Chowdhary while as the Executive Officer Municipal Council Handwara has been directed to hold the additional charges of EO, Kupwara till further orders.

An order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads that pending enquiry into his conduct and in terms of Rule 3 1(1) of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification. Control and Appeal) Rules. 1956. Mr. Anees Ahmad Chowdhary, the then Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Ganderbal, presently Executive Officer Municipal Council, Kupwara is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect.
“During suspension, the said officer shall remain attached in the office of the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir,” it reads.

“It is further ordered that Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Handwara shall hold the charge of the post of Executive Officer, Municipal Council Kupwara, in addition to his own duties, till further orders,” the order added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Jan 16 : Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) and AEs of Rural Engineering Wing (REW), Kupwara here have begun indefinite strike after alleged harassment and humiliation by the concerned Deputy Commissioner (DC).

The aggrieved AEEs and AEs have written to the Executive Engineer REW and stated that the strike will continue till the matter is resolved.

The letter, which is in possession with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reads that during a review meeting with DC Kupwara on 16-01-2023, the AEEs/AEs were humiliated, abused and unparliamentary language was used for the matter, which were not mandated/vested to AEEs/AEs.

“Words like Bastard, Third-Class, Thieves were used which goes against the CSR rules,” it reads, adding that AEEs/AEs of REW Kupwara will go on indefinite strike till the matter gets resolved.

An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), looking for Sogam and Wavoora belt told KNO that during a review meeting, he was abused and called Deadwood.

When contacted, Executive Engineer REW, Shafqat Hussain, said that he was on leave for some days as he’s not feeling well.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray despite repeated attempts couldn’t be contacted for the comments—(KNO)