Jammu, June 22 : Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that soldiers were fully prepared to meet all security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) accompanied by Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander, Northern Command visited troops in the Akhnoor sector, a defence ministry spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement issued.

According to the spokesman, COAS expressed that “he is fully satisfied with the operational preparedness of troops to meet all security challenges”.

“The COAS was briefed and updated by Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps and commanders on ground. The COAS reviewed the preparations to respond to cease fire violations, counter infiltration grid and preparation to deal with provocations by enemy on the Line of Control and International border,” the spokesperson said.

The COAS was also briefed on infusion of technology with operational techniques and integration of force multipliers, which has increased capabilities manifold, he said. 

“The COAS also interacted with the soldiers and commended them for selfless devotion and high standard of professionalism. He was appreciative of the synergy between Jammu & Kashmir Police, Civil Administration, Border Security Force and the Army,” the spokesperson said.

He appreciated the motivation and high morale of the White Knight Corps. During the interaction, the COAS awarded, on the spot Commendation Cards to five soldiers for their gallant action in the face of the enemy, the spokesperson said.

The COAS also conveyed his appreciation to the citizens residing along the Line of Control and international border for providing all the support to the deployed troops and maintaining vigil in their areas, the spokesperson added. (GNS)

Anantnag, June 22, : At a time when government has started “Back to Village” program to bring governance at the doorsteps of villagers, the same villagers have been suffering immensely due to massive security presence in every nook and cranny.

  “We are back to 90’s and facing immense hardships. It used to take hardly 20 minutes on highway to travel from Qazigund to Anantnag here in South Kashmir but now it takes over 2 hours. We are being stopped at multiple points. The troopers stop us and in the name of frisking and identity keep us standing for 10 to 15 minutes everywhere,” said a group of passengers to news agency.

   A lady patient Shugufta said that she along with other passengers were stopped and questioned at Levdara, Badhragund, Bonigam and YK pora while travelling from Qazigund to Anantnag. “Sometimes passengers are only asked to alight from the vehicle and wait for 10 to 15 minutes on the roadside without any frisking or questioning. This is sheer harassment,” she said.

   The passengers said they are facing hardships and a great inconvenience. “We feel it is a sheer harassment. Sometimes we are being stopped for hours. The troopers ask us to halt, even if any army convoy is out of sight. The patients, students, employees, businessmen, everyone is suffering here,” they said adding that the villages where troopers stop the passengers are peaceful.

  They said on the one hand officers and officials visit their villages under ‘Back to Village’ program assure them of easing out their sufferings but on the other hand they are being harassed in the name of security. “Why to make passengers wait for a long time. They can leave them after frisking,” the locals said.  (CNS)

Budgam, Jun 22 : District Development Commissioner, Budgam Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar today interacted with media persons of print, electronic and social media agencies at Budgam, and held deliberations on various issues. The issues concerning media facilitation in development issues came up for discussion and assured media all possible help in highlighting developmental issues of the district.

During the deliberations, DC Budgam called upon media persons to highlight public welfare and grievance matters and bring into the notice of district administration for their prompt resolution.

DC Budgam on the occasion said that long pending demand of press club for media persons will shortly be made available for them.

Media persons actively participated in the deliberations and projected many issues of public importance and put forward suggestions for better results.

Media persons from Daily Aftab, Rising Kashmir,DD, Kashmir Images,Kashmir Reader, Kashmir Monitor, Morning Kashmir, Kashmir Thunder, CNS, 4tv, KNS were present.

ADC Budgam, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani and DIO Budgam, Showkat Hussain also spoke on the occasion.

Srinagar, June 22, : In a brazen violation, State Education Department has not implemented court directions to regularize scores of teachers who were absorbed in government services when Government banned Falah-e-Aam (Welfare for All) Trust schools in 1990.

     Falah-e-Aam is a Trust set up by the Jamat-e-Islami, registered with the government under the number 169/5/72 dated July 31, 1972.

   In 1990, when the then Governor administration banned Jamat-e-Islami, it had banned FAT too.

    About 904 FAT teachers were absorbed in government services. Out of these 27 teachers are yet to be regularized though court has given directions to State Education Department in Kashmir to regularize them without any delay. In fact out of these 27 teachers, the service book of a teacher namely Muhammad Iliyas Sheikh posted at Government Middle School Nachiyan Tanghdar was closed after he was declared dead by the department when he sustained injuries in a road accident. This teacher showed his existence in 2012 when he approached the Court of Law while the court through its order SWP No.218/2012 directed the department to regularize him, but till date the order bites the dust in the office of the Education Department.

   Like Iliyas there are other teachers as well who have been eagerly waiting for the day when the Education Department will implement the court orders and they get regularized. A teacher Qamurdin Shah of Buchroo Kulgam who posted at Higher Secondary School Frisal attained superannuation in 2013 without getting regularized though court had awarded decision in his favour.

    Nazir Ahmed Lone of Sonigam Kulgam also      attained superannuation in 2018 without getting regularized. 

    A teacher Abdul Aziz Shiekh displayed his court order (SWP No.1530/2011) wherein court has directed Department to regularize him but from last 9 years he is pinning hopes on the department.

  Similarly the fate of other teachers including Shahzada Akhter, Bilal Ahmed Ganaie and others are unknown.

  “Court is the ultimate authority but in Kashmir the orders of this authority are violated on daily basis. Tell us where we shall go now and whom we approach for justice,” these teachers told news agency CNS.   

Says qualitative infra prerequisite for Qualitative Edu, Announces Rs 1.17 Crore for GHSS Sopore

Kashmir Despatch News

Baramulla, Jun 22 : Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai today urged the students to work hard for achieving competitive excellence as there is no shortcut to success.

He urged them to focus on conceptual clearance and knowledge-based learning outcomes as these are the only educational tools vital for attaining excellence in diverse fields.

The Advisor was speaking at a function organized by Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sopore in connection with Centenary celebration of the Institute.

Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo, Director School Education Kashmir, M Y Malik, Chief Education Officer, G M Lone, various district and sectoral officers, civil society members, representatives of various social and trade organizations and a large gathering of students were present on the occasion.

Advisor Ganai said that imparting qualitative education to the students is the only way out to enable them to compete on state, national and other levels. He asked the students to remain proactive and acquire knowledge of science, arts, information technology and other fields with utmost zeal and dedication. He further said that nations can’t progress unless its educational mechanism is strengthened at the grass root level.

Complimenting the school authorities for organizing the function, the Advisor said that the institute has established a glorious tradition in the educational field and achieved milestones in Women’s education. Meanwhile, Advisor announces Rs 1.17 crore for the infrastructural development of the school, besides reiterating its commitment to developing infrastructure in other educational institutions of the district.

Earlier, various cultural items and programmes having social and educational significance were presented by the students which evoked applause from the audience. Also, best-performing students were given awards for their felicitation.

Later, the Advisor met several deputations and delegations at Dak Bungalow Sopore and listened to their grievances pertaining to health, education, development, PHE, PDD and other sectors of public importance. He gave a patient hearing and assured that all their genuine demands and grievances shall be taken into consideration for their timely redressal.

Srinagar, Jun 22 : Former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of prominent industrialist and businessman Haji Abdul Ahad Trumboo who passed away this morning.

In his condolence message issued here, Bukhari described the deceased a thorough gentleman who had carved a niche in the business fraternity through his hard work, dedication and commitment.

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, the former finance minister prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to his family to face this difficult time of grief and bereavement.

“May God grant Jannat to the departed soul and bestow courage and endurance to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss,” Bukhari said while expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.

Srinagar, Jun 22 : V.K. Singh, IPS, Director General Police (Prisons) who is also holding the charge of Director General Fire & Emergency Services J&K today paid his maiden visit to District Jail Baramulla/Kupwara to review the security arrangements and evaluate the reformatory programmes running in the jail. He was accompanied by Mohammad Suleman Choudhary-IPS, DIG NKR Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom-JKPS, SSP Baramulla, Ifroz Ahmed Mir, KPS, Addl. SP Kupwara, Yasser Parrey, KPS, DySP Hqrs Kupwara, Inspector Iqbal Ahmed Shah, SHO P/S Baramulla & Inspector Mohammad Ashraf, SHO P/S Kupwara.

Barkat Ahmad Dar, Superintendent District Jail Baramulla/ Shahbaz Hussin Bhat, Superintendent District Jail Kupwara and other officers of the jail and CRPF were also present during his visit. Director General took a round of the premises and inspected the infrastructure and barracks. He interacted with the inmates regarding facilities available to them in the jails. He also visited the Hospital, kitchens and other sections of the prison and asked the Jail Superintendents to introduce vocational training programmes in the jails.

The Director General took a darbar of the Prison Staff and listened to their grievances patiently. He urged the staff to put in their best efforts to strengthen the security system and play their role in reformation of inmates. He said the staff must work together as a team and remain alert to thwart any nefarious designs of anti-social elements. He also reviewed the ongoing construction works and urged upon the concerned to ensure speedy completion of the works.

Earlier, Director General had ordered a probe into the episode of violence at District Jail Kupwara in which few inmates were injured during a scuffle on June 16th, 2019. Following the incident a search of jail premises/barracks was carried out under the supervision of Jail Superintendent Kupwara and 09 mobile phones were recovered in the search operation on June 18th, 2019.

Singh also inspected the Fire & Emergency Stations Baramulla and Kupwara i.e. Seelu, Sangrama, Pattan, Hqrs Kupwara and Command Office Kupwara on June 22nd 2019.

He interacted with the staff and issued a number of on-spot directions to the concerned officers for quick response to ensure the Fire Service motto “We Serve to Save”. He took note of inadequate infrastructure and shortage of manpower.

Singh assured them that steps would be taken to attend the deficiencies and make the organization more effective and efficient.

He appreciated the dedication and devotion of team Fire Services in the discharge of duties they have done on various operational grounds despite all odds. He was accompanied by Abdul Khaliq Wani, Assistant Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Command Kupwara, Baramulla & Farooq Ahmad Lone Divisional Fire Officer, Sub Command Baramulla during the inspection.

Samaniya Bhat

Pattan, Jun 22 : A mentally unsound youth was found dead in Pattan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday evening.

Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said that a dead body of 22 year old mentally unsound youth who identified as Ishfaq Qayoum Hajam Son of Abdul Qayoum Hajam resident of Chadoora Budgam found dead in the orchards of Mirgund area of Pattan this evening.

Meanwhile a police official also confirmed the incident to this newspaper and said that after legal formalities dead body will be handed over to his family for last rites. Officer further said that a case in this regard has been registered and further investigation has been initiated.