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Srinagar, Sep 19 (KNO): Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic, Vikramjit Singh on Monday directed all the SSPs of traffic to take immediate necessary measures to ensure smooth passage to the fruit laden trucks.

The directions were passed days after the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU) staged protests in all Fruit Mandi’s of the Valley against what they termed as the deliberate stoppage of apple and pear loaded trucks on various spots of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), IGP Traffic J&K Srinagar chaired a meeting at Traffic Headquarters here to discuss the issue of movement of trucks from Kashmir and to further facilitate their movement.

The meeting was attended by Directors of Horticulture and Agriculture Kashmir, JKHPMC and other stake holders including fruit growers and traders association of J&K Union Territory.

During the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held on issues pertaining to the movement of trucks carrying fruits through the National Highway and other roads.

The Traders present in the meeting raised their concerns and urged for the movement of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) from the Kashmir Valley.

After detailed discussion, the IGP Traffic directed all SSPs of traffic including SSP National Highway to take immediate necessary measures so that fruit laden trucks are provided a smooth passage and are not stranded. “Besides, extra time may be given to down convoy to ensure clearance of stranded fruit laden vehicles and it was assured no vehicle would be allowed for up traffic on down HMV days to ensure hassle free movement.”

To ensure full transparency, IGP Traffic asked the Horticulture department and Horticulture associations to depute their representative with Traffic officials at Banihal and Qazigund for ensuring smooth movement of fruit trucks.

The matter of decongesting at Ramban and Banihal market was taken up with DC Ramban, who was kind enough to issue the orders without any delay for removal of encroachments and declaring Banihal market (main congestion point as no parking zone) so that vehicle traffic movement could be facilitated, the statement said.

Department of Horticulture was asked for pasting of stickers of an “Apple” picture on the windscreen of each fruit laden trucks for ease of identification, so that the Apple carrying truck could be parked separately and released on priority, the statement said, adding that it was decided that a Whatsapp group would be created at Traffic Hqrs level in which all stakeholders including representatives of Horticulture associations shall be added for timely redressal of grievances of fruit growers.

As HMVS ply on NH-44 on alternate days, it was suggested to the representatives of various trade associations to follow the time table for release of trucks on the National Highway and dispatch their vehicle accordingly, so that fruit trucks loaded with fruit would not get stuck at Qazigund, the statement said.

It was also suggested to Directors of Horticulture and Agriculture to use Mughal Road on those days when HMVS plays from Jammu to Srinagar on NHW-44.

Meanwhile, IGP Traffic J&K assured the participant traders and fruit growers that frequent review meetings will be held in the coming days to ensure hassle free movement of fruit laden trucks and implementation of decisions—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 19 : The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Monday ordered ban on Dastaar Bandi (Turban-tying) ceremonies of people particularly political leaders at all shrines and religious places governed by the board across the Union Territory.

In an order, J&K Waqf Board chairperson stated that Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievement will be allowed with prior permission.

The order reads that he Board is in receipt of a number of complaints regarding unethical use of platform of Ziyarats to appease influential people, particularly the political leaders, through Turban-tying (Dastaar Bandi) ceremony at Ziyarats / Khangahs.

“The leaders continue to be invited to the shrines and their Dastaar Bandi is carried out on the basis of party affiliations to promote political agenda at sacred religious places,” it reads.

It reads that chairperson J&K Wagf Board has taken a serious view of the matter, and the Board is of the view that religious places like, Ziyarats / Khanqahs/Masjids/Darul Ulooms, can only be used to promote religious activities, and Dastaar Bandi at such places can only be carried out to felicitate people for their achievements in the religious field.

“Now therefore, Dastaar Bandi of people at all religious places, governed by the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, is hereby completely banned. However, Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievements shall be allowed with prior permission of the Central Office Waqf Board,” it reads.

It added that all the administrators and Executive Officers are directed to ensure strict implementation of this order, and any violation shall immediately be brought to the notice of the Central Office for legal action in the matter—(KNO)

Jammu, Sep 19 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Monday said that militancy in J&K was on crutches and Kishtwar district it was almost zero as one or two militants are active in the area who will be eliminated soon.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, the DGP as per news agency, said that militancy in J&K was on crutches and those remaining will soon be either arrested or killed. “In Kishtwar, there are just one or two militants active who will be arrested of killed very soon,” the J&K police chief said.

He said that in J&K means of entertainment are being revived again. “Yesterday, LG Manoj Sinhaji visited two districts of South Kashmir—Pulwama and Shopian. He revived theater facilities for youth as a means of entertainment,” DGP Singh said, adding that “Srinagar will soon see multiplex functional which will be a great means of entertainment of its youth.”

He said that there is a long list of movies which famous directors want to shoot in J&K for which this place was once popular. “I am sure that time is not far when J&K youth will themselves direct movies of different nature,” Singh said.

To a query about Hurriyat Conference, he said Hurriyat was nowhere in J&K at present. “But a new chapter of Hurriyat has been opened in Pakistan to provoke people of J&K. Once such example was its band call on August 5 this year which was totally ignored by the people of J&K,” he said, adding that there was no bandh anywhere in J&K and instead there were huge celebrations everywhere.

Replying to a query about Madrasas in J&K, he said majority of such institutions are doing great work by honing the talent of youth. “Some may be used for misguiding youth and such institutions are under watch,” he said, adding that “watchdogs of peace in J&K were active and doing their best to ensure peace becomes a permanent feature. Police, and other security forces, besides civil administration are working day and night to cement peace in the UT.”

The DGP said that social media propaganda to foment trouble and to lure youth towards violence and drugs are being countered effectively by the security forces and administration—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 19 : The government on Monday relieved Abdul Jabbar (IPS) Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range to enable him join in Central Bureau of Investigation on deputation basis for five years.

“Consequent upon the approval of the Competent Authority for induction of Abdul Jabbar, IPS (AGMUT:2008), Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at DIG Level, on deputation basis, for a period of 05 years from the date of the assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier, he is hereby relieved to enable him to take up the new assignment,” reads a government order.

Meanwhile, Sujit Kumar (IPS), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir Range, has been given the charge of DIG, South Kashmir Range, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.

As per a separate order, the government accorded sanction to repatriate P K Modi, Superintendent of Police, from the prisons department to his parent police department with immediate effect. (GNS)

Srinagar, Sept 18 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that multi purpose cinema halls are coming up in every district of J&K while efforts are on to create more and more job opportunities for the youth of J&K.

While talking to reporters after inaugurating a multi purpose cinema in Pulwama, Sinha, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that government is making efforts to provide all facilities to the youth of J&K so that they may get jobs.

He said that a counselling centre has been set up in Pulwama so that youth can prepare for all competitive exams and crack them.

He added that that youth of J&K are very much talented and it is being ensured that all talented youth get a platform to showcase their talent

“Under mission youth, it has been decided to come up with a multi purpose cinema halls in every district and today one each in Pulwama and Shopian have been made available for public and in coming days such cinema halls will come up in every district so that youth can benefit from it,” he said.

Sinha further said that government is working so that fruit growers can send more produce to Bangladesh and minimize the produce coming from Iran in order to get good rates—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Sept 18 : Additional Deputy General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that religious preachers booked under PSA were instigating youth despite being warned several times.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a cricket tournament at Baramulla, Kumar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that they had warned these people many times, but they didn’t budge.

“There are reports that some of the clerics are doing the same practice but soon after getting the proper evidence, they too will be booked,” he said.

He added that they have other legal options to curb them, while some are being sensitised and let go, however, Public Safety Act (PSA) is the last option when someone continues to indulge in wrong practice. 

“Maintaining law and order situation is not the duty of Police only but people too can play an important role in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere,” Kumar said.

He also said that over the few years situation remained calm, while tourists also visited the valley in good number and internet services were also not snapped. “Calm situation benefits all and this have been proven over the past few years,” he said.

Notably, over the last few days several religious clerics were arrested and few of them were booked under PSA in the Kashmir Valley—