Srinagar: JKPM General Secretary Shehla Rashid, who had played an active role in highlighting the Kathua rape and murder case, has welcomed the verdict in the case.

In a statement Shehla Rashid said, “This verdict is a vindication for the family which has been subjected to extreme hate propaganda. I would like to congratulate the Jammu & Kashmir Police for leading an impartial investigation. It has restored people’s faith in the system. However, it is unfortunate that one of the main accused, Vishal, has been let off. Also, there should have been tougher sentences for all the convicts”.

Highlighting the menace of sexual violence against children, Shehla Rashid said , “There should have been tougher sentences for all the convicts, so that a message could be sent to people who commit such heinous crimes, within and outside the state. We call for exemplary punishment in all such cases”.

Jehangir Lolabi

Srinagar, June 10 : While intensifying its drive against drug menace, police have arrested a cop along with nearly one kilogram of heroin in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Monday.

SSP Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar told that based on a specific input, a naka party of police yesterday evening stopped a vehicle (Alto 800 JK09A-5927) at Diver area of Lolab.

During searches, about 950 gms of narcotic substance was seized and as per tentative market value it is worth Rs 25 lakhs, SSP said.

He identified the arrested person as Amjid Ali Khan son of Musa Khan of Kajerpati Diver Lolab.

Amjid, according to SSP is working with police (Auxiliary wing of SDRF) posted in Srinagar.

He said that a case under FIR number 51/2019 under section 8/21 NDPS Act was registered and further investigations taken up.

SSP urged people to cooperate with police to end the drug menace in the frontier district.

While Amanullah, a police constable of Auxiliary wing, was apprehended, his alleged accomplice managed to escape from the spot, sources said.

Meanwhile, locals have hailed the top establishment of the police in the district particularly SSP Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, saying that with the arrest of the policeman, a loud signal has been sent that no one indulging in drug menace would be spared. (GNS)

Visits Mehjoor Nagar to express solidarity with bereaved family

SRINAGAR, June 10: Former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of noted socio-political activist Daljeet Singh alias Nani Ji who passed away after a brief spell of illness this morning.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and associates of Late Nani Ji. The deceased would always highlight the issues of basic amenities of his area Mehjoor Nagar especially confronting the inhabitants of his locality Malik Lane,” Bukhari remarked.

The former minister visited the residence of deceased in Mehjoor Nagar where he recalled his association with him and described him a thorough gentleman who always raised and tirelessly worked for the fulfillment of public welfare issues. “He would also highlight the collective concerns of his community at different forums available to him.”

Bukhari prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and extended solidarity with the bereaved family at this time of grief. “I pray for the eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family, his friends and associates to bear this irreparable loss,” he said in a condolence message issued here.

A condolence meeting of prominent workers was held at the private office of Bukhari at Shiekhbagh in which rich tributes were paid to the departed soul. Meanwhile, on the directions of Bukhari, a delegation of his prominent workers led by Mohammad Ashraf Dar also visited the residence the deceased and expressed their all possible support to the family.  

Srinagar, June 10 : Moderate to heavy rainfall expected across kashmir Valley from tomorrow till 12th of june.

According to MeT, moderate to heavy rains expected across Kashmir valley from tuesday morning till wednesday evening.

Hence, the expected rainfall may create water logging. Travellers should remain cautious.

Along with rainfall,thundershowers are also expected across Kashmir valley. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir may receive 7 mm rain on tuesday and 14 mm on Wednesday.

Babbu Khan

Sopore, Jun 10 : Despite passing of 13 years, government has failed to compensate the payment of land which they acquired from the land owners for construction of Botengoo-Arzansobun road in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In the year 2005, Govt acquired land in Botengoo village of Sopore in Baramulla district for construction of link road which will connect Arzansobun and other villages with the town.

Scores of farmers on Monday staged a protest demonstration against government for not receiving payment yet for the land which they had provided for the link road.

Group of land owners told Kashmir Despatch that the assurance of compensation which Govt promised us in the year 2005 has not been fulfilled yet even after completing of 13 years.

However, the landlords threatened to stop the work on this link road if their payments are not reimbursed immediately. They said that there seems to be no authority that will provide us justice.

Meanwhile when contacted ADC Baramulla Mohammad Ahsan who is hadling the PMGSY section assured that he will look into the matter.

Kashmir Despatch News

Srinagar, Jun 10 : A missing youth of north Kashmir’s Hamray area of Baramulla district has reportedly joined the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, reports said.

A picture of Junaid Farooq son of Farooq Ahmed Pandith code @Abu Talla resident of Hamray Baramulla in which he could be seen carrying an AK-47 rifle went viral on social networking websites today.

Pandith as per reports was missing since past two days from the area.

Meanwhile a senior police official when contacted told that no such missing report was registered in the concerned police station regarding this missing youth, officer however said that they are verifying the details of this picture which went viral on social media.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, JUNE 9: Commissioner SMC Khurshid Ahmad Sanai on Sunday conducted a city tour to take stock of Sanitation, Removal of encroachments, developmental activities, functionality of fountains, dewatering stations and other civic services.

Sanai who began his tour from Jahangir Chowk was accompanied Superintending Engineer, Drainage Circle, Executive Engineer LRWD, RRWD, Mech, CDC, MCD, S&D-II, Electric, along with concerned AEE’s Chief Sanitation Officer, Health Officer SMC, Chief Enforcement Officer, and other Senior Officers of the Corporation.

Sanai visited different areas of the city including Hari Singh High Street, Karan Nagar, Lal chowk, Batamaloo etc.

At Hari Singh High Street, he reviewed functionality of Dewatering station and present status of Municipal Shopping complex at Jahangir Chowk..

Sanai has issued directions to devise  a long term strategy for extensive anti encroachment   drives for smooth fucntioning of vehicular movement and pedestrians space in encroached  areas including Lal chowk, Mahrak bazaar, Hari Singh High Street, Batamaloo etc…

Commissioner SMC also visited LD and SMHS Hospital to review sanitation and directed the sanitation wing of SMC to conduct special sanitation drives in all the hospitals of the city phase wise. 

Implementation of APOs of 2019-20 of Forest and Wildlife Departments extensively reviewed

Srinagar, June 9 : Chief Secretary, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam chaired the 17th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) here and extensively reviewed the implementation of the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) of Forest and Wildlife Departments for the Year 2019-20 approved in January, 2019.

Principal Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring, Commissioner/Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, PCCF, J&K, Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, Chairman, SPCB, Director, Soil & Water Conservation, representative of MoEF&CC, Regional Office Chandigarh and other senior officers participated in the meeting. NGO member Shri Nazir-B-Nazir also attended the meeting as special invitee.

Shri Sarvesh Rai, APCCF(CAMPA) made a detailed presentation on the physical and financial achievements registered against the approved Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) under CAMPA for the year 2019-20.

While reviewing the contribution of CAMPA towards conservation and restoration of Forests in the State, the Committee was informed that against the 13,000 ha of forest area diverted under Jammu and Kashmir Forest Conservation Act for development works till date, more than 45000 ha degraded forest area has been treated under CAMPA.

Chief Secretary emphasised on effective utilization of CAMPA funds for compensatory afforestation particularly in degraded forest areas, soil moisture conservation, wildlife management, catchment area treatment and increasing green cover outside forests areas.

Further,  to promote transparency, Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to separately upload the coordinates/Maps of CAMPA works on the website of J&K Forest Department besides uploading the same on the website of e-green watch portal of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Committee also reviewed the status of implementation of the directions issued during the 16th Steering Committee meeting of CAMPA regarding undertaking an audit of watch & ward enganged under CAMPA and in the Forest Department and sought a compliance reports by June, 15 and June, 22, 2019 respectively.

Further, in order to introduce systemic improvements and fiscal discipline, the Forest Department was asked to activate the Village Forest Committees (VFCs) by involving them in various Social Forestry activities undertaken under CAMPA including those related to plantation, engangement of Watch & Ward and expenditure.

Regarding Monitoring of CAMPA works, the Committee was informed that while internal monitoring is being undertaken at various levels, the department is in the process of enganging a 3rd Party for Monitoring purposes. The Committee asked the department to complete the process of uploading of RFP by June, 15, evaluation by July 22 and awarding of the 3rd Party Monitoring contract  by July, 31, 2019.

Further, the Committee decided that CAMPA funds shall be routed through Treasury System for which the Forest Department was asked to propose necessary amendments, as may be required, in the relevant rules, in consultation with the Finance department by June, 22, 2019.

The Committee also approved the proposal of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to the tune of Rs 5.50 Crore regarding catchment area treatment plan for River Rejuvenation of River Dwarka, Banganga, Tawi, Basanter, Chenab, Jehlum and Sindh.

Given the importance of conservation and protection of flora, fauna and forest wealth, Chief Secretary urged the officers of the Forest Department to redouble their efforts so that afforestation and compensatory plantation is undertaken in a mission mode for maintaining of the ecological balance in the State. The Department was further directed to expedite updating of Forest Demarcation records and installation of boundary pillars in order to prevent encroachment of forest lands.

The Forest Department was asked to further examine the desirability of its proposal regarding setting up of Smriti Vans (Remembeance Parks) in Territorial Division Headquarters by consulting various stakeholders and also formulate a comprehensive scheme for management of the Smriti Vans.

NGO member, Nazir-B-Nazir thanked the Committee for sanctioning of the biodiversity park at Harran (near Ganderbal)  and sought early completion of the project. Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to explore the possibility of completing the said biodiversity park project within three years instead of five years.

Srinagar, June 09 : Governor Satya Pal Malik, accompanied by K. Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor and BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, conducted an aerial survey of the entire Shri Amarnathji Yatra route, along the Baltal-Domel-Sangam-Panjtarni-Sheshnag-Chandanwari-Pahalgam axis to gain a firsthand view of the existing snow accumulation levels.

Governor expressed satisfaction upon the pace of ongoing snow clearing work and restoration of the tracks.

Governor has impressed upon the concerned authorities to ensure that the tracks are repaired and cleared and all facilities required for the smooth conduct of the Yatra put in place before its commencement on July 01, 2019.