Srinagar, Jul 26 : Jammu and Kashmir Police Friday celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Kargil Vijay Diwas”. Impressive functions and Parades were held at District Police Lines across the State, in which District Police, J&K Armed Police, Indian Reserve Police, CRPF and ITBP contingents participated.

In a statement a spokesperson of the police said J&K Police celebrated the victory of Indian Army and remembered the gallant heroes who gave supreme sacrifice of their lives to uphold the Integrity and sovereignty of the Nation.

At District Police Lines Srinagar, 20th Kargil Vijay Diwas was celebrated with great fervor and patriotism. Dr. Haseeb Mughal, SSP took the salute at the parade. School children and all jurisdictional Police officers attended the function. Dr Haseeb Mughul highlighted the sacrifices of forces who fought the Kargil War 1999. Orchestra/Band team of District Police Srinagar also participated in the celebrations.

In Ganderbal, District SSP Khalil Ahmad Poswal took the salute of the Kargil Vijay Diwas victory parade in which contingents of District Police, CRPF and SDRF participated. On this occasion, he said that the aim of the celebrations is to remember the sacrifices of Indian Army during Kargil War and aware the People especially students about the gallant acts of the forces. Senior officers of the Police, Army and Civil administration were present on the occasion. Students of various Schools, citizens and other respectable of District Ganderbal attended the event.

Baramulla Police celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas at District Police Lines where M. Suliaman Choudhary DIG NKR Baramulla took the salute. The occasion was also attended by Abdul Qayoom-JKPS SSP Baramulla and other officers of District Police Baramulla. The Contingents of CRPF, SSB, JKP and Home Guard participated in the parade. On the occasion DIG NKR Baramulla gave a brief account of reasons to celebrate the Vijay Diwas and how our forces fought Kargil War 1999. Patriotic songs were sung by Orchestra Team on the occasion.

In Bandipora, Police celebrated the day at DPL Bandipora. SSP Bandipora Rahul Malik along with senior officers from Police and Paramilitary forces paid floral tributes and took salute at the parade. The event was witnessed by the families of the martyrs and students of different educational institutions. Cultural programme and patriotic songs followed the march past to remember the war heroes.

At Sopore, Vijay Diwas was celebrated at DPL Sopore during which SSP Sopore Javaid Iqbal took the salute at the march past by contingents of Police and CRPF.

In DPL Budgam, an impressive March Past was presented by the contingents of Police and Paramilitary forces. SSP Budgam Chandan Kholi unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade. Rich tributes were paid to the brave martyrs of Kargil War.

Kargil Vijay Divas was also celebrated at DPL Handwara. SP Handwara Ashish Mishra took salute at the parade. District Police along with school children participated in the parade.

At Shopian celebration of Vijay Divas was also held at DPL Shopian. On the occasion, SSP Shopian Sandeep Chaudhary took the salute from the contingents of the impressive parade. Besides officers and officials from Police and Paramilitary, a large number of civilians and school children were present on the occasion.

At Awantipora contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, ITBP, and school children participated in the Vijay Diwas Parade. SSP Awantipora Tahir Saleem along with the officers of the Army, CRPF, ITBP and Civil Administration paid tributes to the Kargil Heroes. Civilians besides school children witnessed the Vijay Diwas Parade.

In Anantnag, 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Divas was celebrated at District Police Lines, where SSP Altaf Ahmad Khan took salute from the parade comprising contingents of District Police/(JKP/JKAP) and students (Boys & Girls) of different schools. SSP Anantnag greeted the people and highlighted the sacrifices and bravery of the heroes of Kargil War.

In DPL Kulgam, an impressive parade was presented by the contingents of SSB and J&K Police. SSP Kulgam Gurinderpal Singh unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade. Rich tributes were paid to the brave martyrs of Kargil War. On the occasion SSP interacted with the families of martyrs.

Kupwara Police celebrated the Vijay Diwas at DPL Kupwara. SSP Kupwara Shriram Ambarkar took salute from the parade. On this occasion senior officers of Police, Army and CAPF were present. The event was witnessed by the families of the martyrs and students of different educational institutions. They presented cultural programme followed by patriotic songs in the memory of martyrs. SSP in his address said that “we pay homage to the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to save the territorial integrity of the nation”. Floral tribute was paid to the martyrs of J&K police, who sacrificed their lives and fought gallantly for the pride of our nation and the security of our citizens.

In Leh, 20th Kargil Vijay Diwas victory Parade was held at District Police Lines Leh which was participated by 05 contingents of District Police Leh and IRP 25th Battalion. SSP Leh Miss Sargun Shukla took the salute. While addressing the gathering, she paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Army who laid down their lives during the Kargil War. A symposium on the topic “Recognition of courage and valour in India” was also organised after the parade which was participated by students of JNV and CIBS Choglamsar.

20th Kargil Vijay Diwas, was celebrated in district Jammu and a victory parade was organized in District Police Lines this morning. DIG JKS Range Vivek Gupta took the salute of the parade which was performed by contingents of Police, Paramilitary Forces besides students of different schools. Glowing floral tributes were also paid to the Martyrs of Kargil war and their sacrifices for the nation were remembered. Officers of J&K Police central Paramilitary forces besides school children and members of civil society were present at District Police Lines Jammu during the victory parade.

District Police Samba celebrated the 20th Kargil Vijay Diwas with great fervour and patriotism at District Police Lines, Samba. On the occasion an impressive Parade was held to pay homage to brave hearts of Kargil in which contingents of District Police Samba, IRP- 12th Battalion, Home Guards, Govt. Degree College Samba, GHSS Boys Samba, GHS Balode (Girls) & National High School Samba participated. On the occasion, Dr. Koshal Sharma, SSP Samba paid rich tributes to the martyrs while speaking on the significance of the day. Later on, a plantation drive in the premises of DPL Samba was launched by the District Police Samba in collaboration with Forest Department.

In Kathua, J&K Police paid rich tributes to the Martyr’s for their supreme sacrifice in Kargil war in DPL Kathua. On this occasion impressive Parade was organized by J&K Police in Kathua district in which contingents from Paramilitary forces, Armed Police, besides students of different schools also participated. SSP Kathua Shridhar Patil unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade. He interacted with students of different Schools and shared the significance of the day.

At DPL Udhampur an impressive parade was organized by J&K Police in which contingents from District Police, Paramilitary Forces, Armed Police, besides students of different schools participated. DIG of Police Udh-Reasi Range Sujit Kumar unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade. Senior officers of Police and Paramilitary along with civil administration paid the floral tributes to the martyrs. DIG Udr.Reasi Range and SSP Udhampur Pande Rajiv Omparkash interacted with students of different Schools and shared the significance of the day.

District Police Reasi celebrated the Vijay Diwas with great fervor and patriotism at District Police Lines, Reasi. On the occasion an impressive Parade was held to pay homage to brave hearts of Kargil in which contingents of District Police Reasi, IRP- 1st Battalion, CRPF, Students of different institutions/Schools of District Reasi participated. Addl. SP Reasi Shiv Kumar Singh Chouhan paid rich tributes to the brave Martyrs of Kargil War. Large number of civilian and school children witnessed the programme.

In Ramban, District Police Ramban celebrated Vijay Diwas in DPL Ramban. Impressive Parade was organised in which contingents from Paramilitary forces, Armed Police, besides student of different schools participated. District SSP Anita Sharma unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade.

Kargil Vijay Diwas was also celebrated in District Police Lines Doda. Impressive Parade was organised by Doda Police in which contingents from CRPF and Armed Police participated. Parade was commanded by DySP DAR Sh Mansoor Ayaz. SSP Doda Shri Shabir Ahmed Malik unfurled the national flag and paid tributes to the martyrs.

District Police Kishtwar celebrated the 20th anniversary of Kargil war in District Police Lines. A special programme was organized in honour of war martyrs. SSP Shakti K Pathak hoisted the national flag and took salute at the parade. On the occasion, he said that 26th July is celebrated every year as Vijay Diwas to commemorate Indias historic victory over Pakistan in Kargil war. The swift and professionally planed operation executed by the Indian Armed forces led to one of the greatest military victories. The programme ended with an emotional tribute to the war heroes.

At Rajouri, District Police celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas at DPL Rajouri. On this occasion an impressive Parade was held, SSP Rajouri Yougal Manhas paid homage to brave hearts of Kargil war. Large number of prominent citizens, police officers, paramilitary officers were present on the occasion.

Rich tributes were also paid to the Martyr’s for their supreme sacrifice in Kargil war in district Poonch and an impressive Parade by the contingents from Paramilitary forces, Armed Police, besides students of different schools. SSP Ramesh Angral took the salute of the parade and paid floral tribute to the martyrs along with other dignitaries of the district.

Srinagar, Jul 26 : To celebrate 20 years of ‘Operation Vijay’, President Ramnath Kovind on Friday paid tributes to the slain troops at Chinar Corps (15 Corps) War memorial at Badami Bagh Srinagar.

Kovind in a tweet said that India remains grateful to those in Armed forces who served in the Kargil conflict and defended the sovereignty with their valour.

“On #KargilVijayDiwas, paid tributes to our martyrs at Chinar Corps (15 Corps) War Memorial in Srinagar. India remains grateful to those in our Armed Forces who served in the Kargil conflict and defended our sovereignty with incredible valour,” he tweeted.

“Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year to commemorate India’s spectacular victory over Pakistan on this day in 1999. Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’ in May 1999 to evict the Pakistani Army intruders from Kargil heights. Intruders from Northern Light Infantry (Part of Pakistani regular Army) had treacherously occupied these heights in an attempt to endanger the vital Srinagar-Leh National Highway. After over 60 days of war, the Indian Army with Chinar Corps at the forefront of the battle triumphed over Pakistan Army and chased them out completely from the heights of Dras, Mushkoh, Kaksar and Batalik,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Nation is commemorating 20 years of this glorious victory in a big way with a series of programmes being conducted throughout the country. Today, the Chinar Corps joined a proud Nation on the 20th Anniversary of this historic battle, in remembering the martyrs, gallant serving soldiers and veterans on this occasion. The honourable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to the Kargil War heroes in a solemn ceremony held at the War Memorial in Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar. The occasion was also attended by Shri Satya Pal Malik Governor J&K, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon GOC Chinar Corps, representatives from other security agencies, civil administration and all ranks of Chinar Corps. The honourable President of India quoted in the Visitors Book “On the 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I on behalf of a grateful Nation pay homage to the martyrs of the Kargil War. Today we remember ‘The gallant acts’ of our brave soldiers, rejoice in their victory and renew our pledge to rededicate ourselves in the service of our great Nation.” The proceedings included brief narration of the Kargil War highlighting the saga of courage and valour of the martyrs, prayers by religious teachers and laying of wreath in proud remembrance of the valiant heroes who participated in the operations,” he said.

“The solemn function at Badami Bagh Cantonment is a part of the Valley wide celebrations held from 22 Jul to 27 Jul 2019 to commemorate the occasion. These programmes included Wreath Laying, “Run for Fun”, special movie screenings, guest lectures and various competitions for school children. The events rekindle the pride and valour of the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay and honour their exemplary courage and sacrifices,” he added. 

‘Select Committee of Parliament must examine amendment bill’

Anantnag, Jul 26 : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM) President Shah Faesal expressed concern at the RTI Amendment Bill, 2019, arguing that the proposed amendments would weaken the Right to Information Act.

In a statement issued, Shah Faesal said that through the RTI Amendment Bill, the Centre seeks to control the salaries and tenures of the Information Commissioners in both the central and state information commissions. He alleged that the amendment was an attempt to undermine the autonomy and authority of the information commissions adding that the amendment Bill will kill the original RTI law.

Shah Faesal said that RTI (amendment) Bill, 2019, will dilute the Act by downgrading Information Commissioners’ status, salary and autonomy, besides impacting the federal structure since it curtails their powers to decide on the degree of Independence for Information commissioners in their own jurisdiction.

Shah Faesal while lauding the efforts of various chief information commissioners like Wajahat Habibullah and Shailesh Gandhi, for strengthening the institution of RTI alleged that instead of strengthening the Information Commissions the Central government looks hell bent upon undermining their status and powers.

“The argument that status of information commissioners at par with supreme court judges is bad in law because appeals against their judgments go to High Courts does not hold ground because never in past has the status of CIC hindered the appeals against their decisions being heard by the Courts of Law,” Shah Faesal argued.

Shah Faesal suggested that the Bill should have been examined by a select committee of the Parliament and there should be public debate over the proposed amendments. 

Srinagar, Jul 26 : Hurriyat Conference (G) on Friday said that acquittal of three Kashmiris after 24 long years is “murder of justice, which is being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 30 years.”

“Forced occupation, military muscle and throttling by investigative agencies has already tarnished every fabric of so-called Indian democracy, now the judicial activism very slowly and silently punishes every Kashmiri on fictitious and fabricated cases,” a spokesperson of the Hurriyat (G) alleged in a statement.

“Courts take decades to label a person innocent and these poor victims of the ‘Democratic Glory’ has every right and reason to curse this flawed and false system of providing justice where even a criminal convicted for snatching a life and sentenced to life imprisonment, is let off after completing 7-14 years—but those, belonging to a particular faith and region, have to be rotten in jails for decades, to prove their innocence,” he added.

The Hurriyat (G) spokesperson claimed that when an accused happens to be Muslim and a Kashmiri, he automatically and doubly qualifies for stern punishment for a crime he has never committed, “but when the crews of their Saffron brigade are convicted by their own agencies, their mighty and powerful political godfathers come to their rescue, bail them out even before their trail begins and ensure their entry into the parliament.”

“Those booked by NIA including Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masarat Aalam Bhat, Dr. G. M. Bhat, Asiya Indrabi, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Raja Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Shahid-ul-Islam, Fraooq Ahmad Dar, Zahoor Ahmad Watali, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Syed Shakeel Ahmad are also victims of the judicial onslaught. Most of them have completed two years in Tihar jail and courts are yet to prove their offence. Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Masrat Aalam Bhat, Peer Saifullah, Dr. G. M. Bhat, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Asia Indrabi and Zahoor Watali are in bad health and their continuous confinement can further deteriorate them. Ayaz Akbar’s wife is battling for life with deadly disease of cancer and those parroting human values should have considered this family tragedy and released Ayaz Akbar, so that he could console his wife and kids, but stone hearted rulers are only concerned about their power and brutalizing any Kashmiri in the garb of hyper-nationalism not only satisfies their collective conscience but ensures them thumbing majority in elections,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile on the direction Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat spokesman Hakeem Abdul Rashid visited the house of Latief Ahmad Waja and Mirza Nisar Hussain, who were released after 24-years, and lauded their courage and steadfastness.

SRINAGAR, JULY 26: Since the imposition of Governor’s Rule, during 20th June 2018 – 26 July 2019, the Grievance Cell (including Governor’s Secretariat) received 80635 complaints/grievances of which 80235 have been dealt with / forwarded to the concerned quarters for timely redressal while as 400 complaints / grievances are under process.

Similarly, on the directions of Governor, all Advisors to the Governor have been regularly meeting and hearing the grievances of delegations / deputations and individuals both at Srinagar and in Jammu as per the schedule and are regularly reviewing the disposal of the grievances pertaining to their respective departments.

SRINAGAR, JULY 26: Pursuant to the declaration of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) as an unlawful association, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal will hold sittings at Srinagar on August 02 and 03, 2019 in the Court Room of FC Revenue at DC officer Srinagar from 10.00 am onwards.

Accordingly, all those who are interested in giving evidence may file their affidavit (in duplicate) with Registrar Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, Delhi High Court Building, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi and shall remain present in person on the aforementioned date for cross-examination, if any, before the Tribunal.

Srinagar, Jul 26 : State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed to the state government to register a case in the killing of Junaid Ahmad Khuroo, who died in police custody and also provide a compensation of Rs five lakh in favour of the family of the deceased.

In the case titled Abdul Qayoom Khurro S/o Abdul Ahad Khuroo R/o Kral Tang, Sopore (SHRC/174/2011), Member SHRC, Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal recommended that a case be registered into the killing of Khuroo and investigation be conducted by a person of the rank of SSP or higher of Crime Branch.

“It has also been proved that the deceased had died in the police custody and was killed by the police. His NOKs are required to be compensated. Therefore, compensation to the tune of Rs 5.00 lacs and benefit under SRO-43 be extended to the NOKs of the deceased be provided,” the SHRC in its judgment said.

It also asked the police to dissuade Inspector Gazanfar Syeed and sub-inspector Nisar Ahmad from their regular police duty “so that they should not have a chance to intervene or interfere or hamper any kind of investigation.”

“If such kinds of acts are put to the task a peaceful life may be extended to the society at large by small efforts of the commission,” the SHRC judgment, a copy of which lies with news agency reads.

Copy of the judgment was also transmitted to Chief Secretary with the direction to implement the judgment in letter and spirit and copy was also send to Principal Secretary Home Department and Director General of Police for similar necessary action. (KNS) 

Kashmir Despatch News

Police on Friday claimed to have arrested father, son along with charas in north Kashmir’s Sopore town.

A police officer told Kashmir Despatch that during naka checking laid by Sopore police father, son duo were held along with large quantity of charas at Teliyaan Sopore this afternoon.

Officer said earlier people of the town informed police about the duo for their involvement in this rocket which they were supplying to the youths of Soproe town.

Officer identified both father, son as Ghulam Mohiudin Dar alias Mahad Chuntii son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar resident of Teliyaan Mohalla Arampora Sopore and Ghulam Hassan Dar son of Ghulam Mahiddin Dar.

Officer further said that a case FIR No. 209/2019 U/S 8/20, 29 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Sopore and further investigation has been initiated into this case.

Meanwhile locals of the town hailed the efforts of DySP and SHO for making town drug free.