Kashmir Despatch News

Rafiabad, May 10 : Forces launched a cordon-and-search in north Kashmir’s Rafiabad village on Friday morning.

Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said a joint team of Army’s 32 RR, SOG Sopore launched a cordon and search operation at Hardchingi Dangiwacha village of Rafiabad and conducted house to house searches.

A police officer while confirming this search operation to Kashmir Despatch said following suspecious movement in the area operation was launched.

Pertainally, A top militant commander of Sopore town was killed earlier this day in a gunfight with government forces in Shopian village.

Colleges , Schools to remain closed in Town : admin

Sopore, May 10 : A Militant killed in Amshipora area of Shopian has been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi @Abdulla Bhai from Model Town area of Sopore.

Official reports said that the slian Ishfaq was associated with militant outfit ISJK and was the lone survivor of ISJK militant outfit in Kashmir.

Meanwhile as a precautionary measure following the militant’s killing Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore ordered for closure of all educational institutions in sub division Sopore today.
 

Suhail Khan

Government forces on Thursday late evening cordoned off Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and conducted searches as they suspected the presence of some militants.

Official sources told news agency GNS that the contingents of army’s 13 RR and Special Operation Group (SOG) of police cordoned off Wahab-Parray Mohalla of Hajin village.

A police official said that the cordon-and-search operation in the area has been launched following the inputs about the presence of some suspected militants.

The area continues to be under forces’ siege and there was no exchange of gunfire when this report was being filed.

More reinforcement has been rushed to the area by the army.

Following the cordon in the area, people mostly youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces. The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells to disperse them. (GNS)

Srinagar, May 09 : Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of J&K visited the construction site of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Raj Bagh, Srinagar today along with Director Industries & Commerce, Managing Director SIDCO, SICOP, Executive Director EDI and other officers.

The President KCC&I apprised Principal Secretary about the plans of Chamber House and setting up of Industrial Research Centre, Incubators, Multi-Media Conference Hall and other Facilities within the Chamber House required for promoting Trade, Commerce & Industry of the State.

While appreciating the plans of the Chamber House Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, put forward his suggestions as well and assured President, KCC&I of full support from the Industries & Commerce Department. 

Srinagar, May 09 : Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon, GOC 15 Corps, met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here today and briefed him about issues relating to the security situation in the Valley and along the LoC.

Governor appreciated the army’s sustained strong support to the civil administration and police in maintaining normalcy in the Valley.

Srinagar: After its launch, eight days ago, in a bid to extend a helping hand to the women folk of Kashmir, the main toll free helpline established at the women police station Rambagh in Srinagar has registered over 51 calls with majority of complaints by the women callers suggesting harassment by husbands and in-laws.

The data of callers accessed by a news agency, suggests that majority of calls by the women were received from South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and the Central Kashmir’s Budgam district where in women alleged harassment, intimidation and beating by their husbands.

“There were less calls about eve teasing and harassment to girls. We received a few calls where in girls alleged   that their photographs were uploaded by some boys on the social sites,” said an official posted at the women’s police station in Rambagh.

He said that in majority of the calls, they referred the callers to their respective districts. “For example, when we received calls from Anantnag district, we directed the caller to approach the women’s wing of their concerned police station in their respective districts. We provided them all the contact numbers and references as well,” said the official.

The official said that similarly women callers from other districts were properly guided. “The complaints of harassment by husbands and in-laws from the callers from Srinagar district were entertained in the police station Rambagh itself.”

“So far, since the launch of the maiden helpline, we have received 51 calls from almost all the districts of Kashmir,” the official said. “Majority of the calls were from Anantnag and Budgam districts.”

The official, who maintains the log-book of calls, said that most of the women callers alleged intimidation and harassment by their husbands and in-laws. “All of them alleged domestic violence in one or the other way,” he said.

However, he said they were verifying many calls that looked suspicious in nature. “In many calls, the callers didn’t identify themselves; neither did they reveal their locations. At least a dozen calls are being verified,” he said.

On May 2, on the directions of senior superintendent of police  (SSP) Srinagar, Dr Haseeb Mughal, toll free numbers/maiden helpline was established for the women and girls of Kashmir to register their complaints to ensure that crimes against the women are curbed well in time.

Srinagar, May 09 : Principal Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Rohit Kansal and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited the Solina-Rambagh stretch of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover and inspected the patchwork and other necessary works underway on the bridge.

The visiting dignitaries were informed that work on these projects is in full swing and will be completed in a time-bound manner. Workers are working round-the-clock to complete the stretch which will resolve a majority of traffic woes in Srinagar.

Principal Secretary and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir asked engineers and contractors to work with added zeal and in synergy and complete the remaining construction work at an earliest while keeping safety parameters on board so that the commuters do not face any inconvenience during their journey.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal, Director ERA, Project Manager ERA, consultants and other concerned officers accompanied the visiting dignitaries. 

SRINAGAR, MAY 09 :  In a first of its kind initiative in the district the Srinagar administration has established composite shelter homes for the destitute and those having to beg for alms for sustenance.

The shelter homes have been established at two locations including one at Pantha Chowk and another at Brein Nishat where buildings have been identified and will be equipped with all basic facilities.

Line departments including Social Welfare, Health, SDA, SMC, ICPS, PHE, PDD, FCSCA and District Red Cross have been directed to ensure immediate and sustained provision of basic facilities at these homes.

An inter-departmental committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar K K Sidha is overseeing arrangements and coordination with the departments.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who has issued orders for strict implementation of the J&K Prevention of Beggary Act 1960 in the district said the establishment of these shelter homes is aimed at facilitating efforts of the district administration at preventing begging which has seen a monumental increase causing great deal of public nuisance.

He said the district administration will bear the expenditure incurred on operation of these shelter homes.

Dr Shahid said a team of officials from different departments has been constituted for identification of the destitute and those begging for alms for sustenance and shifting them to the said composite shelter homes.

To manage and monitor the affairs of these homes a nodal officer for each one of the two has been designated including Tehsildar Pantha Chowk for the one at Panthachowk and Social Welfare Officer Srinagar (Tehsil South) for that at Brene Nishat.

Meanwhile people who wish to donate for the destitute to be housed at these shelter homes have been asked to contact at 7006088296.