Corruption a scourge, support me in its eradication: Mehbooba tells officers
Jammu, Sep 23, CNS: Terming corruption as a scourge which eats up the vitals of the society, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today asked the officers to support her in the initiative of providing a responsive and responsible administration to the people of the State.
Chairing a meeting of Deputy Commissioners of Jammu province here, the Chief Minister sought the support of officers in field to ensure a clean, prompt and result oriented governance to people, particularly those living in far off, hilly and disadvantageous areas of the State. “All alone I cannot do anything, your role is critical in providing an honest and responsive administration to people”, she told the participants in the meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh was also present in the meeting.
Complimenting the Deputy Commissioners of the region for discharging their duties with maturity and maintaining peace and communal amity in their areas, Mehbooba Mufti asked them to continue with the tempo. To improve the imprints of governance, she asked them to further enhance their public outreach and conduct periodic visits to forward and far flung areas to know the difficulties of people there. She also asked the DCs to specify one day in a week for meeting people in their offices and redress their grievances on spot.
The Chief Minister, however, cautioned the DCs against harassing any community or group in the drive against encroachments or protection of forest areas. She asked them to handle such issues compassionately while enforcing law. Also, she said, law must be enforced on equal terms while dealing with cases of bovine smuggling or cow vigilantism. She directed the DCs to be strictly tough with the elements that are found indulging in sowing seeds of hatred among communities and people.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the DCs to start working on approaching winter months and ensure stocking of essential supplies and fuel at areas which generally remain cut off due to snow. She also took a detailed feedback regarding the arrangements made by various District administrations for the people dislocated due to shelling in border areas of the province.
The Chief Minister asked the Divisional administration to ensure that the farmers of Basmati rice whose lands are to be acquired for Jammu semi ring road project be adequately compensated. She also asked for rationalization of teachers in the province so that adequate number of teachers conversant with teaching of Punjabi and Dogri languages is made available in schools.
Mehbooba Mufti directed installation of crash barriers on priority on the Ramban-Banihal stretch of National Highway to avoid frequency of accidents.
The Chief Minister took a detailed review of the pace of work on the three medical colleges coming up at Rajouri, Doda and Kathua and AIIMS at Vijaypur. She also reviewed progress on projects like Jammu-Akhnoor road widening, Jammu airport expansion, Tawi barrage, new Assembly complex at Jammu, Dental College, Jammu, Mubarak Mandi Heritage project, Suchetgarh border tourism project, Chenab water supply scheme, Solid waste management project at Kote Balwal, railway projects, National Highway expansion and other projects.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the Deputy Commissioners to personally supervise the completion of these projects within the time schedule and ensure that in no way should the delays in the completion of these projects be incentivized. She asked them to ensure compliance and execution of PSGA in the service delivery by various Departments in their Districts. She also asked the DCs to make the Grievance Cells in their offices properly functional and make sure that no complaint from people goes unanswered.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. M. K. Bhandari gave a resume of developmental activities in the province.
Advisor-Infrastructure, Pradip Singh; Chief Secretary, B. B. Vyas; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; and Deputy Commissioners of all the districts of Jammu province were present in the meeting. (CNS)
Border Skirmishes:
Two BSF troopers and Three civilians wounded
Jammu, Sep 23, CNS: In continued border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, at least two Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troopers and three civilians were injured as the armies from both the countries traded heavy fire and shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday.
“The two troopers and three civilians were injured in the overnight Pakistan ceasefire violation in R.S. Pura and Ramgarh sectors.
“The Pakistan Rangers used mortars, automatics and small arms to target over half a dozen BSF posts and civilian areas in the firing that started at 10 p.m. Our troops effectively retaliated," the police said.
Villagers in the areas close to the international border said their crops have suffered extensive damage due to the shelling.
Residents of the border villages have also started moving to safer places.
Government has also evacuated local population to safer places.
Pakistan had claimed that its six civilians were killed in Indian firing on Friday. (CNS)
Batamaloo bus stand row:
Traders and transporters continue their protest against government
Srinagar, Sep 23, CNS: Police on Saturday foiled a protest of Batamaloo traders and transporters marching towards the official residence of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at Gupkar in Kashmir capital Srinagar.
The protestors earlier held a massive protest at Press Enclave against shifting of General Bus Stand Batamaloo to Parimpora.
Police intercepted the protesting members of All Traders Joint Coordination Committee on the busy residency road.
Several protesters were detained while police cane-charged others.
The protesting traders were shouting slogans like “We want justice”
Some of the protesters fainted while facing the wrath of the police. They were shifted to hospital for treatment.
Transporters and traders are up in the arms against government proposal to shift the historical Batamaloo bus stand to Parimpora. They have been protesting from past one month. The shopkeepers doing their business in Batamaloo frequently shut their business against government move while transporters have also resorted to ‘chaka jam’ for couple of days.
“We have been continuously protesting against government proposal but PDP led by government seems to be callous towards our hardships. The government doesn’t care about us as the shifting of the bus stand will have serious economic implications,” said Muhammad Ashraf to news agency CNS.
The protesting transporters and traders have been alleging that government under a well hatched conspiracy wants to deprive them economic benefits. (CNS)
Civilian Killings:
Tral shuts for 2nd day
Tral, Sep 23, CNS: A Complete shutdown was observed on the second consecutive day on Saturday in Tral town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to mourn the killing of two innocent civilians.
Two civilians including a young girl were killed after a grenade attack on the cavalcade of PDP leader and R&B Minister Naeem Akhtar on Thursday.
Pinky Kour daughter of Ichpal Singh resident of Chattargam and Ghulam Nabi Trag son of Ghulam Ahmad Trag resident of Tral-e-Payeen were killed and over 30 persons were injured in the incident.
Reports said that ll shops, business establishments and educational institutes remained closed while public transport remained off the roads. (CNS)
Army organize medial camp for specially abled persons
Srinagar, Sep 23, CNS: Army on Saturday organized a medical camp for specially abled persons here in HMT Zainakot area of Srinagar city.
The camp was organized by 2 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army that was attended by scores of people.
Local doctors from CRC checked the patients while the Commanding Officer of 2 RR assured these specially abled persons of assistance in future. He said that the army will provide equipments including wheel-chairs and other stuff to these specially abled persons. (CNS)
UJC hails Pakistan PM for his Kashmir centric speech
Srinagar, Sep 23, CNS: Hailing Kashmir centric speech at United Nations by Pakistan Prime Minister, the conglomerate of local militant outfits United Jehad Council Saturday said that Shahid Kahkhan Abbasi truly represented the aspirations of Kashmiri people and exposed the ‘hollow and grim’ picture of Indian democracy.
“Freedom loving people of Kashmir wholeheartedly thank the Pakistan Prime Minister. He exposed India and presented the Kashmir picture in a true way. Pakistan Prime Minister while highlighting the atrocities of India in Kashmir gave a clear message to the world that long lasting peace in the region is impossible without the final resolution of Kashmir issue,” this was stated by UJC chief Syed Salahuddin while presiding a high level meeting.
As per the statement issued to news agency CNS, Syed Salahuddin hailed Pakistan PM for urging upon United Nations to nominate a special envoy for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir.
Salahuddin said that UN has miserably failed to resolve Kashmir issue and this failure has resulted into the sufferings of Kashmiri people. “If world bodies will still act as mute spectators, the day is not far away when world institutions will lose credibility,” he said.
The UJC Chief impressed upon Pakistan to be more energetic and active on diplomatic front to expose Indian atrocities in Kashmir.
Syed Salahuddin also expressed grief over the inaction of Muslim world vis-à-vis Rohingya genocide in Maynmar. “Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Sui Kyi is threatening the world and yet taken as peace loving politician. Those who believe in system and seek help from UN are labeled as terrorists. This is sheer duplicity and this trend will tarnish the sanctity of institution like United Nations,” he said.
During the meeting tributes were paid to those killed in Kashmir and it was reiterated that ongoing freedom struggle will continue till it is taken to its logical conclusion. (CNS)
Let us free Kashmir from guns, grenades and drugs: DGP Vaid
Anantnag, Sep 23, CNS: Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid on Saturday urged youth to make Kashmir free from violence and drug abuse.
“Let's free Kashmir from gun, grenade, drugs and bring peace, prosperity and smiles,” said Vaid, according to a tweet by official handle of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
He was addressing youth at South Kashmir Sports festival. (CNS)
Handwara police arrests notorious drug peddler
Handwara, Sep 23, CNS: Handwara police in its drive against drug menace arrested a notorious drug peddler and recovered narcotic substance from his possession.
Acting on a specific information, Handwara police arrested a notorious drug peddler namely Hilal Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rehman Dar resident of Chogal Handwara from main town of Handwara. Narcotic substance, which was meant to be distributed among the youth of the district, was recovered from his possession.
A case FIR number 298/2017 under section 8/20 NDPS Act was registered and investigation was taken up.
Pertinent to mention here that the accused being habitual offender was previously booked under PSA and other heinous offences.
These efforts of police in eradicating the grave menace of drugs from the society which ruin the life of the youth has been appreciated by the general public of the area. (CNS)
Traders call for Kashmir bandh on Sept 25
Srinagar, Sep 23, CNS: Traders of Kashmir Saturday called for ‘Kashmir Bandh’ on September 25 (Monday) against NIA summon to Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association (KTMF) president Yaseen Khan.
This was announced during a joint press conference of traders in Srinagar.
The press conference was attended by KTMF, KEA and transporters.
Pertinently, Khan has been asked to appear before the NIA onSeptember 25.
The agency has also summoned student leader and Kashmir University Scholar Aala Fazli on the same day.
It has re-summoned pro-freedom leader, Syed Ali Geelani’s son, Syed Naseem Geelani as well.
The Central probe agency is probing a case of alleged funding registered on May 30 this year. (CNS)
Sajad Gani Lone meets Governor
Srinagar, Sep 23, CNS: Sajad Gani Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, ARI & Trainings and Science & Technology, called on Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Lone discussed with the Governor about the various important initiatives taken by him in the departments and agencies under his charge and the current implementation status of the various Central and State schemes in the entire social welfare sector.
Governor and Minister discussed certain serious problems relating to the entire disability sector and the difficulties faced by women, children, pensioners and senior citizens. Lone would be reviewing all problems relating to the disability sector and these would be discussed in an early structured meeting involving all concerned officers. (CNS)
PCI team interacts with journalists of Poonch, Rajouri
Scribes demand insurance cover, bullet proof jackets
Rajouri, Sep 23, CNS: A subcommittee of Press Council of India (PCI) headed by S N Sinha arrived here today at Rajouri to interact with the media-persons from twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
The other members of the PCI Sub-Committee include Dr Suman Gupta and Prakash Dubey.
The committee members were accompanied by the Director Information, Muneer-ul-Islam and other officers of the Directorate of Information.
During their day long interaction, the PCI subcommittee held detailed deliberations with the media owners, editors and working journalists of these border districts to take first-hand appraisal of the issues confronting the media in the hilly Pir Panchal region.
During the interaction the journalists raised issues like demand for bullet proof jackets, bullet proof hamlets, insurance for media persons etc. in these border districts especially in case of cross-border firing in these border districts.
They also raised issues pertaining to accreditation policy demanding accreditation at district level.