Kashmir Despatch News
Sopore, May 22 : Vigilence department on Tuesday raided block development office Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and arrested incharge BDO officer on charge of misuse of department fund.
Sources told Kashmir Despatch that on complaint vegilence team on Tuesday raided BDO office Sopore and arrested him on charge of corruption.
More details awaited
A 27-year-old gym trainer, who had more than 5.17 lakh followers on TikTok, was shot dead by three men at a shop in outer Delhi’s Najafgarh on Tuesday evening, the police said.
The police identified the deceased as Mohit Mor, who hailed from Haryana’s Bahadurgarh, but often stayed at his home in Najafgarh, the police said.
While an investigator who did not wish to be named told Hindustan Times that it was still being probed whether Mor had any connection to the two gangs involved in the recent gang war, deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka) Anto Alphonse said no such link has emerged so far.
“Mor did not have any criminal cases against him,” Alphonse said.
Another investigator said Mor’s mobile phone threw up his conversations with many people in the recent past. “We are probing if his murder has anything to do with his friendship,” the investigator said.
Mor was seated in a photocopy shop around 6pm on Tuesday when he was gunned down. An investigator who didn’t want to be identified said that Mor was shot seven times and died on the spot.
The police procured CCTV camera footage of the suspects and registered a murder case at the Najafgarh police station.
Some of the footage showed the three men running in a street after the murder. Two of them wore helmets while the third was unmasked. The police hope to identify the men from the unmasked suspect’s image, said the investigator.
The police also found the footage of a scooter on which the three suspects had arrived. They are trying to ascertain the registration number of the scooter and working to rule out the possibility of it being a stolen two-wheeler.
Having lost his father earlier, Mor is survived by his mother and brother. The police are speaking to them to find out if they had any enemies or if he was involved in a confrontation in the recent past.
President Jammu Kashmir Youth Alliance Adnan Manzoor has been selected for the Arab Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) conference in Dubai UAE.
Adnan Manzoor was selected from 5415 applicants all over the world. Adnan is among 5415 delegates who are going to participate in the conference.
Arab Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) is an annual conference where young leaders from all over the world sit together in an assembly called Meeting Session and each of them play the role as a diplomat representing the country they are assigned to.
Umer Rashid
Srinagar, May 22 : Second militant body has been also recovered from encounter site in an ongoing operation which broke at Gopalpora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district in pre-dawn hours of Wednesday.
A senior police officer told GNS that second militant body has been recovered in an ongoing operation and searches are underway. However the identity of the slain militants is yet to be ascertained, the officer added.
Earlier Sources, however, identified one among the slain militant as Zahid Ahmad Mantoo son of Bashir Ahmad Mantoo of Ferripora Shopian.
Zahid was affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and had joined militant ranks on August 25, last year.
Meanwhile mobile Internet has been clamped down in Kulgam for precautionary measures.
Earlier reports reaching GNS said that the a joint team of army’s 34RR and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation at Gopalpora village.
In the initial phase of gunfight, one militant was killed and operation was underway. (GNS)
Umer Rashid
Srinagar, May 22 : A militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter with government forces at Gopalpora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.
Reports reaching said that the a joint team of army’s 34RR and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation at Gopalpora village.
As the joint team of forces intensified the searches and fired some warning shots towards the suspected spot, the militants hiding inside opened fire leading to a gunfight, they said.
A police officer told that that the cordon was laid following specific information about the presence of some militants in the area which resulted into an encounter.
In the initial phase of gunfight, one militant has been killed and operation is going on. (GNS))
Srinagar, May 21 : Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone Monday castigated the twin traditional parties for trivializing the sentiments of the people of Kashmir and their inherent tendency to lie to suit their interests.
Sajad said the moral pretense of NC and PDP, the high stentorian rhetoric of Mr Omar Abdullah and Ms Mehbooba Mufti stands ridiculed today.
“You boycotted the ULB elections and termed it as a ‘sham’ election under the fig leaf of Article 35-A. Just answer one question. How seriously would New Delhi take you given that the theatre both of you enacted prior to the ULB polls. Those assertions of aspirations, those assertions of boycott to safeguard article 35 A- was that all a sham? Were you all along lying? We just pray that Delhi does not take your non seriousness about Art 35 A as a reference point. Your covert participation and now overt acceptance makes mockery of the cause that you were supposedly advocating—God save us all from advocates as murky as you”, he added.
Sajad said that both parties are now drifting towards power at the cost of the cause that they were purportedly advocating.
“This is a section of the Kashmiri leadership which was in headlines all across the country for boycotting the ULB polls—now it transpires that on one hand an avowed boycott and on the other a lust for power. The national leadership today has a good idea about the seriousness of these leaders and their tantalizing lust for power—they today know they would sleep with the devil for the sake of power and would sacrifice and belittle any cause that they advocate”, he added.
Sajad emphasized that Peoples Conference has a clear and simple majority in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and will continue to deliver on its promises of delivering change in a city that has been neglected by the twin traditional parties.
“Both the traditional mainstream parties need to see the writing on the wall- that Srinagar is changing and taking strides towards hope and positivity under an overarching goal of self-empowerment and accountability. PC Mayor and Deputy Mayor as well as all our Corporators will continue to play a very positive and enabling role in the SMC and will deliver effective change on the ground and try to transform Srinagar into a world class tourist city”, he added.
Srinagar, May 21 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday maintained that the urban life of Srinagar city is blight with various problems, saying that neither the centre nor the state government invested in the augmentation of urban infrastructure of the Srinagar city in the past five years.
Welcoming eleven corporators from SMC into the party fold here at party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Omar said the city of Srinagar has fallen off from the development radar.
“The people of Srinagar stand dejected at the paucity of amenities and the appalling condition of roads. The people of the Srinagar city were forsaken by the former PDP-BJP government, the present governor administration proved no different. The work on the various vital projects of the city that was initiated by our government was unfortunately stalled by the former PDP-BJP regime,” he said in a statement issued.
Party vice president said that National Conference despite being subjected to “political shenanigans and conspiracies of various agencies” never left any stone unturned to work for the benefit of the people of the state.
“Once in power we will carry forward the mission of development and work towards ensuring peace in the state with active participation of people. The urban life of Srinagar is fraught with different issues; the party once in power will hold the authorities accountable,” he said.
He said for the past few years, no headway was seen towards upgrading the existing road and transport infrastructure of the city.
“We are witness to how government recklessly came up with certain projects in Srinagar which didn’t bring any respite to the city. The need of the hour, therefore, calls for proper planning to rise up to the demands of growing population of Srinagar city,” he said.
Taking a potshot at some of the decisions taken in the previous Mufti-led government, he said, “The former BJP-PDP government recklessly displaced General Bus Stand of Batamaloo to the suburban locality of Parimpora. The decision has hampered the livelihood of many and turned out to be least fruitful towards easing traffic situation in Srinagar. In fact the decision has put the commuters to undue duress.”
“Unfortunately the proposed motorable projects connecting either sides of the Bund were also recklessly converted into foot bridges. The measure many experts say was executed to serve the interests of few people,” he added.
Omar said the absence of a popular elected government in the state was taking its toll on the development scenario of the state.
“The onus for the miseries that are plaguing the state in the absence of an elected government lies on Mehbooba Mufti. Had she asked the governor to dissolve the assembly last year in the month of June, after being shown door by its former ally, things would have been much different. Today we would have an elected government looking after the basic needs of people. However she chose not to do that and what followed is known to all. It is she who is blameworthy for putting the state into a chasm,” he said.
Omar said that once in power the party will put the city of Srinagar on the track of eco-friendly and sustainable development.
Party vice president appreciated the efforts of former Mayor of Srinagar, YNC provincial president Salman Ali Sagar for his earnest efforts towards strengthening party on grassroots level.
On the occasion, corporators Danish Bhat, Majid Shuloo, Neelofar khan, Ghulam Nabi Sofi, Saleeem Lone, Mukhtiyar Ahmad Dar, Parvez Ahmad Dar, Parvez Qadri, Umaan Shera, Zubair Fayaz, Sami Jan, and Saima Jan joined the party and vowed to take make National Conference stronger on the grassroots level.
Srinagar, May 21 : Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition, seeking direction the Election Commission of India to refix the polling date in respect of third phase of polling on May 6 in the Anantnang parliamentary constituency.
The Constituency, comprising of District Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, went to polls in the three phases on April 23, 29 and May 6 respectively.
The petition was filed by one Shams Khwaja of Gautam Buddha Nagar in UP, a lawyer, whose fate among the 18 candidates in the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat has been already sealed by a meager electorate who turn up to cast their votes in the security sensitive south Kashmir.
Khawaja had claimed that he, being a citizen of India, a senior jurist and practicing Advocate based out of Delhi, had submitted his nomination for the Parliamentary Constituency on April 3 which was subsequently held valid on April 5 and after the date of withdrawal on April 8, he among others was declared a contesting candidate from the constituency.
In his plea, Shams submitted that he suffered discrimination at the hands of the local official electoral apparatus at various points in the process thereby tantamounting to sabotaging his electioneering. He submitted that on April 25 on the specific suggestion of the Returning Officer, he submitted his Election Campaign Program for the forthcoming next phase of Election—Districts Shopian and Pulwama and some areas of District Kulgam.
On 26/27 April, Khawaja said that he was informed by the Police Control Room that they are not allowing any political movement in the District for reason of unrest. Khawaja said that he stayed at his base in Pahalgam and could not campaign in District Kulgam for the Phase-II of polling scheduled on April 29.
He also submitted that same yardstick was adopted by the Returning Officer and all the other authorities while denying him to campaign in the areas of District Shopian and Pulwama, by supplying the reasons of security concern.
He said that non-consideration his request for allowing him to campaign in the areas of his choice, notified in advance, was brought to the notice of the Nodal Officer, but of no benefit. He submitted that denial of the permission by ECI to conduct smooth campaigning in the areas of his choice notified in advance amounts to blacking out of the candidate and violation of his right guaranteed under Constitution and the laws for the whole phase-III.
After hearing both Khawaja and ECI, a bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said that the question that falls for consideration is whether the petition under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India against the decision of the Returning Officer is maintainable?
“Article 329 (of the constitution) opens with the words “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution” and then Clause (b) says that no election to either House of the Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authorities and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the Legislature,” the court according to GNS said. The term “election” has been interpreted to mean and include all steps and entire proceedings commencing from the date of notification of election till the date of declaration of result, meaning thereby that in terms of the mandate of Clause (b) of Article 329 of the Constitution of India, no step or proceeding can be called in question, except by an election petition, the court observed further.
“Not only is the bar created by Clause (b), the non-obstante clause with which the Article starts pushes out Section 80 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, where the dispute takes the form of calling in question an election.” However, the court said, the constitutional provision does not leave an aggrieved person without a remedy. The remedy too is prescribed in the very same provision and that is an election petition, the court said.
“…it is held that the first proviso appended to Clause (b) of Article 329 of the Constitution of India does not affect the bar against calling in question an election to either House of the Parliament, except by an election petition presented to such authorities and in such manner as has been provided by and under the Act of 1951 made by the Parliament,” the court said and dismissed the Khawaja’s petition. (GNS)
Srinagar, May 21 : Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces’ convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday, 27.5.2019.
These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections. In order to facilitate the safe and secure movement of Security Forces’ Convoys, the Government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week, i.e. on Sunday and Wednesday; from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of the public during the period of restriction.
Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was limited to Sunday only w.e.f. 22-04-2019 and later completely lifted w.e.f. from 2-5-2019. Restrictions on the Srinagar Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day w.e.f. 13.5.2019.
After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the Governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on NH 44 from Monday, 27.5.2019.
The Governor thanked the people of the state for cooperating with the measures which were necessitated in the larger interest of the state and for welfare of the people. (GNS)
Srinagar, May 21 : The Exit Poll of Parliament election by different media organizations predicting return of BJP and NDA alliance has given rise of anxiety in Kashmir valley as people are wary about the safety of special status of the state.
BJP has promised abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in its election manifesto and made Kashmir a major poll plank in its elections campaign for parliament elections.
Anxiety has crept in among the people and political parties about the BJP returning back to power with a thumping majority.
Political parties expressed doubts over the exit polls predictions.
National Conference said it is skeptical about the exit poll predictions.
“However, if the results are in BJP’s favour, we can’t change that. People are scared of BJP returning to power for the rightwing party wants to attack special status of the state. But in coming assembly elections people in Kashmir will have to take a careful decision during voting.
National Conference will defend and safeguard special status of the state come what may,” National Conference provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani told.
PDP said that exit polls cannot be relied upon, but if the BJP comes back to power, PDP will strategies according to protect special status of the state.
“Exit polls cannot be trusted as different exit polls show varying predictions. Let’s wait for May 23. Regarding safety of article 370 and 35-A in case BJP returns to power, our party is ready to protect it and we will form a right strategy to protect special status of the state,” PDP chief spokesman Rafi Ahmad Mir told news agency.
Pradesh Congress Committee president G A Mir trashed the exit polls saying that every exit poll shows different results.
“There is a lot of confusion and variation in exit polls. After May 23, NDA will sit in opposition and Congress will form the government,” Mir told reporters during a party function at PCC office in Srinagar. (KNS)