Srinagar, July 23 : The government has ordered prosecution under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against seven persons whose names were mentioned on a booklet “Hasn-ul Muslim” seized from three militants killed at Chrar–Sharief in central Kashmir’s Budgam district in January this year.

According to a Government’s Home Department order, on 21 January police station Chrar-i-Sharief received a reliable information to the effect that some militants are hiding in a hideout at Haji Bagh Koker-Khal Chrar-i-Sharief to commit some militant act and based on it, a case (FIR NO.02/19 U/S 307 RPC 7/27.A.Act, 18,19,20,38 ULA (P)) was registered at police station Chrari-Sharief and investigation was taken up. Later, a joint Cordon-And-Search-Operation (CASO) was launched and during searches, hiding militants fired upon the deployed government forces personnel who retaliated the fire, resulting in the killing of three Militants—Sabzar Ahmad Mir alias Marsad of Lasipora , Syed Rubani alias Abu Zarar of Nazneenpora Shopian and Tawseef Ahmad Wani alias Abu Huraira of Nowpora Pulwama.

From their possession, the order said arms and ammunition besides a religious Booklet ‘Hasn-ul-Muslim’ were recovered.

“During the course of investigation, the seized booklet “Hasn-ul Muslim” was perused and it was found that there are some phone numbers provided on it. Subsequently the subscriber details of the phone numbers were obtained and the identities of the persons were established,” the order said.

It added: “Names of Tanveer Ahmad Laway alias Fanna Filla of Dalwan, Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat alias Naaz of Bilal Abad Kralpora surfaced on the subscriber details who were apprehended and during questioning, they disclosed their association with the Al-Bader militant outfit. They also disclosed that they have provided logistic support with the help of Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat alias Inna Welder of Kralpora Chadoora, Gulzar Ahmad Wani of Dalwan, Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat of Shahpora Wathoora, Azad Ahmad Wani of Dalwan and Adil Gulzar Ganai of Dalwan Chrar-i-Sharief for digging/ constructing/ fabricating a hideout at Hajibagh Kokarkhal ChrariSharief for their safe stay and provided all required material like timber, ply-sheets, Iron lid, thermo cool, Gas stove and eatable items to them.”

“The Authority appointed by the State Government under sub-section (2) of section 45 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, has independently scrutinized the Case Diary file and all the other relevant documents relating to the case and has come to a definite conclusion that this is a fit case for accord of prosecution sanction against the accused persons,” the order said, a copy of which lies with Srinagar based news agency.

“After perusing the Case Diary, the relevant documents and also taking into consideration, the observations and views of the Authority appointed under sub-section (2) of section 45 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the State Government is of the view that there is sufficient material and evidence available against the accused persons for their prosecution under the aforesaid provisions of law,” it said and ordered prosecution against the seven persons. (GNS)

The Commissioner Secretary Public Works Department (R&B), Khursheed Ahmad Shah in presence of District Development Commissioner Baramulla Dr G N Itoo and Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir on Tuesday inaugurated two languishing projects costing Rs.5.87 crore in Baramulla district.

The spokesman said that these projects include three-kilometre long Yadipora- Haiderbeig road with the bridge, having an approved cost of Rs 4.00 crore and Wagoora- Khaitangan road with the bridge, costing Rs 1.87 crore.

The Commissioner Secretary on the occasion was informed that both the projects have connected several villages with each other and the projects will benefit about 45,000 population of the area including transporters. He was informed that Yadipora-Haiderbeig road project was withheld as only Rs.2.52 crore were earlier released for it, so the project was later put under languishing project programme. The second project Wagoora-Khaitangan road also came under the same languishing programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Secretary reiterated the commitment of the Governor led administration for providing every possible facility to the people. He said that as a part of it, both the projects were completed and thrown open for the public today. He said that by the completion of Wagoora-Khaitangan road, a number of villages have been connected with each other, while as the people travelling from Baramulla to Babareshi will feel now better and their journey will be easier.

Srinagar, July 23, : Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested three special police officers in Miran Sahib Area for allegedly possessing 75 grams of heroin.

A police spokesman in a statement said, “Today police party of PS Miran Sahib, while on Naka checking at Brigade Road, stopped one vehicle Swift JK02BK 8700 on way from Miran Sahib for checking.”

“On checking, 75 gm of heroin-like substance was recovered from the vehicle they were travelling in. Further 22 gms of heroin-like substance was recovered from possession of Sunny, S/O Bua Ditta, R/o Barjalla, while 26 gm of heroin-like substance was recovered from Khurshid Ahmed @Kalu, S/O Din Mohd, R/O Barjalla and 27 gm of heroin-like substance was recovered from Javed Ahmed Mir, S/O Gh Mohd Mir, a resident of Kupwara,” he said.

“On questioning, it came to light that all three of them were SPOs,” he added.

“Based on this, FIR No. 93/2019 U/S 8/21/22/29 NDPS Act has been registered and an investigation was taken up. Further investigation in the matter is underway,” said police spokesman in a statement.

Jammu and Kashmir police recovered Rs 25 lakh demonetized notes and arrested two persons, a police spokesman said here on Tuesday evening.

He said on a specific information, Police Station Rajbagh quizzed one Mohammad Iqbal Dar son of Abdul Salam Dar resident of Bogund Kulgam and recovered demonetized currency notes amounting to Rs 3 lacs from his possession.

During his questioning he said he has dumped more money in a hideout in Jawahar Nagar area.

Subsequently, police raided house of Ghulam Ahmad son of Abdul Ahad at Jawahar Nagar and recovered Rs 22 Lacs demonetized currency.

A SIT headed by SHO PS Rajbagh was constituted to investigate the case under the supervision of SDPO Sadder. SIT was able to work out this case with considerable success.

Further investigation into the matter is going on, he added.

Srinagar 23 July: The extremely bad road condition in Hyderpora area of District Srinagar is giving a tough time to the residents here, as well as the commuters, since the area is quite important given the significance of its location.

A group of locals visiting office complained that almost whole road stretch in Syed Hyder Colony, Jamia Masjid Hayderpora to Gulshan Abad and various other roads in the area are in a very bad shape.

They said that the road leading to Beehama from Pandach, which is considered a very important road, is in shambles.

“The road is filled with potholes which speak volumes about the truth about the tall claims of the government of improving road connectivity,” the residents said.

The residents appealed the administration to come to their rescue by addressing their problem and providing them better road connectivity in the area at the earliest.(CNS)

Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network— (eVIN)

More steps afoot for bringing positive changes in vaccine services: Atal Dulloo

SRINAGAR, JULY 23: Department of Health and Medical Education, is mulling to collaborate with UNDP for implementation of Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network Logistics system (eVIN) for robust vaccine coverage across the state.

In this regard, a marathon meeting was held under the chairmanship of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo here.

Commenting on the development, Atal Dulloo said that it is a major step for bringing positive changes on the ground in vaccine coverage. He said that for having effective immunization, government was taking several measures—hoping that collaboration with UNDP would help to bring some positive developments in vaccine coverage across the State.

The UNDP team made a brief presentation on the proposed activities and time line for eVIN roll out in Jammu & Kashmir.

The representatives further shared the number of Human Resources at state, divisional and district level—saying that the eVIN provides an integrated solution to address widespread inequities in vaccine coverage by supporting state governments in overcoming constraints of infrastructure, monitoring and management information systems and human resources, often resulting in overstocking and stock-outs of vaccines in storage centres.

Through the eVIN Project there will be tech-based capacity building and training of over 1400 Government Staff, distribution of approximately 700 mobiles phones and installation of approximately 800 remote temperature data loggers.

The meeting was informed that UNDP would support the project for two years until September 2021. The expenditure would be borne by the NHM following the conclusion of UNDP support from Oct 2021.

Pertinently, the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network- eVIN is an innovative technological solution aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems in India. Implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with support from the United Nations Development Programme, eVIN aims to support the Government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in Jammu and Kashmir.

It may be recalled here that under Global vaccination coverage – the proportion of the world’s children who receive recommended vaccines – has remained the same over the past few years. During 2018, about 86 per cent of infants worldwide (116.3 million infants) received 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine, protecting them against infectious diseases that can cause serious illness and disability or be fatal. By 2018, 129 countries had reached at least 90 per cent coverage of DTP3 vaccine.

Beginning in October 2015, eVIN has been successfully rolled out in 21 States and Union Territories in India covering over 20,000 health facility. The mobile- and web-based application is supporting efficient vaccine logistics management at over 20,000 cold chain points in the country.

The meeting was attended by Bhupendra Kumar, Mission Director, NHM, Dr Arun Sharma, Director Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Dr Qazi Haroon, SEPIO, and Dr Shachi Adyanthaya, National Programme Manager-Systems Strengthening, UNDP India Country Office.

Srinagar, Jul 23 : Director General of Police, J&K, Dilbag Singh today morning visited Armed Police Headquarters (APHQ), Karan Nagar, Srinagar. He was received by the ADGP (Armed) J&K S.J.M. Gillani and other officers of the Armed Police Headquarters.

On his arrival the DGP was given a ceremonial guard of honour. Thereafter DGP chaired a meeting which was attended by senior police officers and reviewed the functioning of the Armed Police wing. The meeting which was attended by ADGP CID, J&K Dr. B. Srinivas, ADGP (Armed) S.J.M. Gillani, ADGP Law & Order/Security Munir Ahmad Khan, IGP Armed Kashmir Vijay Kumar, IGP (Pers.) PHQ J.P. Singh and IGP Kashmir S.P. Pani.

The DGP J&K in his address said that Armed Police is the backbone of the J&K Police with having highest number of personnel on its roll who are doing their duties at multiple places and are entrusted with multiple tasks.

Dilbag Singh complimented Armed Police for handling law & order, security and other multifarious jobs in the State and currently having huge deployment in Amarnath Yatra including the Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), and also praised the role of Armed Police in counter insurgency grid. The DGP while complementing the role of MRTs in rescuing hundreds of the yatries said that Governor Satya Pal Malik and Advisors of the Governor have hailed the role of these MRTs. Their role has been highlighted by the national media and Yatris, he added.

The DGP also expressed his satisfaction for safe and smooth conduct of Yatra from both sides for which Armed Police is deployed along with district police of South Kashmir and Central Kashmir.

The DGP also underlined the Armed Police for making significant contribution during the Panchayat, Urban Local Bodies and Parliamentary elections. During his address the DGP advised the officers to focus on skill development of the police personnel to further improve their efficiency. The DGP also impressed upon regular welfare measures for the officers/jawans.

While congratulating the Armed Police personnel SgCt. Nazir Ahmad and SgCt. Falil Singh for scaling the Mount Everest and also other personnel who have brought laurels to the Police by winning medals, the DGP impressed that more and more attention must be given to the Central Sports teams.

ADGP (Armed) J&K S.J.M Gillani briefed the DGP regarding functioning and deployment of the different battalions of the Armed Police.

He projected the requirements and plans with regard to the Armed battalions to which the DGP said that they would be sympathetically looked into.

ADGP (Armed) J&K during his briefing highlighted that the training, welfare and equipment needs of the force will be taken care of. The ADGP also put forth certain requirements with regard to the body gears of the law and order personnel for their day to day duties.

Srinagar, Jul 23 : The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed to keep vigil on unabated illegal constructions along Bemina bypass Srinagar.

As per reports the illegal constructions are coming up brazenly on the main bye pass Bemina. Multi-storied complexes, hospitals have been constructed near Bemina bypass, where officially commercial constructions stand banned.

While at places political intervention plays the main role to facilitate illegal constructions, at other places corruption rules the roost. “On the bypass, for example, the SMC and SDA are allowing construction for obvious reasons,” said a social activist, adding that even though the matter was brought into the notice of the concerned, no action was taken.

Local residents alleged that officials of SMC were minting money from the illegal constructions.

Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran when contacted told “Send me a detail of illegal constructions; I will look into the matter.

The other SMC officials said the complaints were being looked into but failed to give any convincing reply.

People here in Bemina told that they were expecting unabated illegal constructions would stop after the imposition of the Governor rule, but over the last six months, scores of illegal buildings have come up.

Sources said that besides many illegal structures having sprouted up, there have been many such instances in the recent months, with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation turning a blind eye to them. “In place of sprawling bungalows, dozens of fresh commercial spaces are seen rearing their heads in various parts of the Srinagar city,” sources maintained.

We were expecting that the Governor’s administration will take serious steps to stop illegal constructions and also take action against the officials who over the years have been involved in the illegal constructions, but instead more illegal constructions have come up within the city,” said one of the local residents here in Bemina Srinagar.

Sources said that even posh residential areas are fast turning into breeding grounds for unauthorized conversion of residential properties for commercial purposes.

Housing colonies were developed for residential purposes and no commercial building permissions were accorded in these colonies other than the area earmarked for commercial activity by the concerned authorities.

However, sources said that majority of these housing colonies has acquired the status of more of a commercial hub having big shopping centres of every type.

Sources said in Srinagar city’s Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh, Gogjibagh, Wazirbagh and Karan Nagar, Bemina, Qamarwari, Shalteng which are well planned residential colonies are fast turning into commercial areas in complete violation of Srinagar Master Plan guidelines. “The residents said that there have been several instances when they have lodged complaints with the authorities against people, for renting out their residences for commercial purposes, however, no action were taken by the authorities beyond issuing a customary notice to such residents.

Moreover, it has also been seen that residential owners who have rented their residences for commercial purposes have been paying property tax as per taxes applicable for residential property. This is considerably less that the tax applicable for commercial property.

“As per the Master Plan of the Housing Colony, in every block and sector there is provision for minimarket. However, few years back when authority of law and order had started gradually diminishing, the residential colony started turning into hub of commercial activities,” sources maintained.

Sources said that in the earmarked residential zones, nursing homes, restaurants, insurance offices, banks, and beauty salons etc. have come up with full immunity.

Many reports were prepared in past to identify all illegal commercial conversions in order to take action but nothing has happened.

Enforcement wings exist in all agencies like Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar Development Authority, Housing Board etc. but a kind of game goes on in between these agencies wherein they keep shifting the blame from one to other,” sources maintained.

A senior official, on condition of anonymity, said: “Many issues are involved, including laxity on part of the enforcement agencies.
And then there is political interference. Though a number of notices are issued to violators, people go to court and get a stay.” (KNS)