The arrest of a ‘notorious’ drug peddler by police is appreciable action. However, the police needs to dig deep into the nexus which runs this mafia in Kashmir. Drugs have consumed a number of precious lives of Kashmiri youth who have resorted to this menace for obvious reasons.
According to preliminary investigations of police, into today’s arrest, it has come to fore that the peddler was involved in selling drugs including Charas and Ghanja among the youth in Central Kashmir particularly in downtown. Several cases under NDPS Acts are registered against him in various Police Stations across valley reportedly.
But one of the most important factor which can help police to curb this menace is cooperation from the public. People must come forward where ever they see youth involved in this practice or anybody involved in selling the banned drugs. The society at large can be made a drug free society if the necessary steps are taken to save the young generation from becoming victim of drug mafia.
Another aspect of the story needs to be dealt firmly that these drug peddlers are well connected and can spent huge amounts to run their racket. The police also need to entrust the investigations to the officers with known integrity and caliber to bust these modules who are hell bent to ruin the lives of youth of Kashmir. Recently a youth died of an alleged over dose of drugs in Rawalpora Srinagar and the people especially his relatives had raised hue and cry to arrest the culprits. But later the police released a video in which he was clearly shown crumbling in the middle of a street.
Curb Drug Menace
Syed Geelani discharged from SKIMS, was admitted following abdominal pain
Srinagar, May 01 : Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani has been discharged from SKIMS hospital where he was undergoing treatment after developing intestinal infection.
Sources close to Geelani told that doctors have discharged him and he has left for home.
“He was admitted in the SKIMS following a complain of abdominal pain,” he said.
He has left the hospital and is travelling back to home in Hyderpora.
Geelani remains under continuous house detention where a posse of police personal guard his office cum residence not allowing him to move beyond his courtyard.(KNO)
Will Seal GMC Office, Handcuff Officials: High Court
The High Court today observed that it would seal the Government Medical College Srinagar office and handcuff the officials if the Government fails to make interim arrangement for the post of Principal GMC Srinagar.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Tashi Rabstan while dealing with a contempt petition filed by Dr Javed Chowdry for violating the Court judgment passed in the month of February castigated the authorities for not making the interim arrangement to the post of GMC Principal and permitting to continue the incumbent Dr Samia Rashid on the post when her appointment has already been quashed by the Court.
Court observed that it would close down the GMC office and get handcuffed the officials at the helm of affairs in case court is not informed about the compliance of judgment.
Division Bench at the very threshold of the hearing in the matter pointedly asked the Counsel appearing on behalf of H&ME department as to under what authority the present Principal is continuing on the post despite having her appointment quashed.
The counsel stated that the H&ME department has submitted the case to the General Administration Department in tune with the directions passed and the case is lying with the GAD.
However, nothing has been stated by the Principal Secretary H&ME as to under whose authority and orders the present incumbent is continuing on the post.
After these submissions made by the counsel for Health department, court asked Javed Iqbal (Sr. AAG) who represents the GAD to have the question answered from the Secretary GAD, as regard the process of implementation of the judgment for making regular appointment against the post in question, where the present incumbent is continuing without any authority as her appointment as such has been quashed by the court. He sought some time to submit the latest status on the issue. “In the given circumstances, the consideration of the matter is deferred till Friday the May 3. List on May 3 as case no. 1”, read the order.
The HC observed to the counsel appearing on behalf of Health Department that the judgment has been violated as no interim arrangement has been made till date.
The court on February 28 had quashed the appointment of Dr Samia Rashid as Principal GMC and directed the Government to take appropriate decision for appointment of suitable person on the post within four weeks time.
The Court had held the Cabinet decision as well as the appointment of Dr Samia Rashid as Principal GMC Srinagar bad in the eyes of law and accordingly quashed both. Since the appointment of present incumbent was quashed as such the court left it open for the Government to make in-charge or temporary arrangement for the post in question to run the day to day affairs of the office of the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar till decision is taken by the Cabinet/SAC on appointment of Principal on regular basis.
Dr. Javed Chowdhry had approached the court by way of a writ petition to challenge the appointment of Principal and the writ court dismissed his plea by passing the judgment on October 2017.
Dr Chowdhry challenged the said decision of writ court in an appeal which came to be allowed by the division bench by setting-aside the judgment of the Writ Court and Cabinet Decision no.50/04/2017 dated 28th April 2017 and Government Order no.252-HME of 2017 dated 8th May 2017, impugned in the writ petition, were quashed, with a direction to the respondents to place the whole material, consisting of minutes of the decision of the Establishment-cum-Selection Committee before the Cabinet/State Administrative Council (SAC), as the case may be, for its reconsideration.
Vehicle stolen from house courtyard in Baramulla, police launch searches
Baramulla: A vehicle was stolen from a residential house’s courtyard in Baramulla district on thr interviewing night of April 30 and May 1.
The vehicle owner Fayaz Ahmad Malik son of Ghulam Mohammad Malik, a resident of Darwa Frestwari said that his WagonR bearing registration number JK05D-8629 wad missing from the premises of his courtyard.
Meanwhilr police has taken cognisance of the matter and registered an FIR under case number 10/2019 U/S 379 RPC and started investigations.
A police official said that they have launched the searches and alerted all the police stations regarding the incident.
Further Relaxation In Restrictions On Jammu Srinagar NH 44 Baramulla-Srinagar Restrictions Removed W.E.F. 2.5.2019
Step taken to further facilitate public movement and reducing inconvenience
SRINAGAR, MAY 1, 2019: Earlier this month, the Government had imposed restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar, in order to ensure adequate security to the movement of Security Forces’ Convoys while at the same time minimizing public inconvenience.
These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully. In order to facilitate unhindered 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 & Wednesday, from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. At the same time, elaborate arrangements were made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of public during the period of restriction.
The Government is monitoring the convoy needs of security forces on a real time basis and making all attempts to minimize public inconvenience. Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was reduced only to Sunday w.e.f. 22-04-2019 and the prohibition on Wednesday was lifted.
As indicated earlier, the Government is alive to the needs of citizens and will seek to balance public convenience with requirements of security force convoys.
The Government has once again reviewed the requirement of security forces. Following the successful conduct of elections in Anantnag & Kulgam districts and as the requirement of Security Forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the Government has decided to further relax the restrictions on traffic imposed earlier as follows: –
1. The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 will be completely lifted w.e.f. 2-05-2019. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch on Sunday or Wednesday.
2. The restrictions would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. However, these would be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces.
3. The local administration would continue to facilitate movement of civilian traffic as has been happening so far, including by allowing public transport of JKSRTC to move during the period of restriction on the NH.
4. A complete review of restrictions on the Highway would be done subsequently.
The Government stated that the purpose of these restrictions is in the larger interest of security of everyone and appealed the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic. The restrictions strike a balance between the needs of people and inconvenience caused to them on one side and the needs of security forces.
The restrictions will continue to be reviewed on a real time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days.
Decision on global terrorist tag on JeM chief Masood Azhar likely today
UNITED NATIONS: A decision on whether Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Masood Azhar will be listed as a global terrorist by the United Nations will be known Wednesday as the world body’s Sanctions Committee holds a crucial meeting, amid indications that China could lift its hold on the proposal to blacklist Azhar. The Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee is expected to meet here and the issue of Azhar’s listing is likely to be considered. Sources said that the outcome of the meeting – whether UNSC permanent member China decides to lift its hold on the proposal to blacklist Azhar, paving the way for the UN to slap sanctions against him – will be known Wednesday.
Beijing said on Tuesday that the vexed issue of designating Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN will be “properly resolved.” China had put a hold in March on a fresh proposal by the US, UK and France to impose a ban on the chief of the JeM which claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama terror attack. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India had moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar. In 2016 again India moved the proposal with the P3 – the United States, the United Kingdom and France in the UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again.
However, on all occasions China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India’s proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. “I can only say that I believe that this will be properly resolved,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing. He was responding to questions on the media reports that China has reportedly consented to lift its technical hold on a fresh proposal moved by France, the UK and the US to list Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. Keeping up the international pressure to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, the US, supported by France and the UK, moved a draft resolution directly in the UN Security Council to blacklist the Pakistan-based terror organisation’s head. Though China can exercise its veto power as a permanent member of the UNSC, Beijing has staunchly opposed the issue to be taken to the apex UN body as it has to publicly explain its stand on its reservations to list Azhar, whose group JeM has already been designated as terror outfit by UN, before exercising its veto. “Regarding the listing issue in the 1267 Committee, we have expressed our position many times and I just want to stress two points,” Geng said answering a number of questions on Azhar’s issue. “First, we support the listing issue being settled within the 1267 committee through dialogue and consultation and I believe this is the consensus of most members. Second, the relevant consultations are going on within the committee and has achieved some progress. Third, I believe, with the joint efforts of all parties, this issue can be properly resolved,” he said. On reports that China would lift its technical hold on May 1, he said, “on the listing issue, China is still working with the relevant parties and we are in contact with all relevant parties within the 1267 Committee and I believe with the joint efforts of all parties, this will be properly resolved.” A UNSC designation will subject Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals. Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities. The efforts to resolve Azhar’s listing issue gathered momentum last week with the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing to attend China’s 2nd Belt and Road Forum held from April 25-27. During the visit, Khan held talks with Xi, besides meeting Premier Li Keqiang and Vice President Wang Qishan during which India-Pakistan tension following the Pulwama terror attack as well as listing of Azhar reportedly figured. An official statement of China issued after Xi-Khan meeting on Sunday said the Chinese President had expressed hope that Pakistan and India can meet each other halfway and improve their relations. (TOI)
Civilian traffic restrictions on Baramulla-Srinagar ends : Govt
SRINAGAR, MAY 1, 2019: Earlier this month, the Government had imposed restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar, in order to ensure adequate security to the movement of Security Forces’ Convoys while at the same time minimizing public inconvenience.
These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully. In order to facilitate unhindered 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 & Wednesday, from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. At the same time, elaborate arrangements were made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of public during the period of restriction.
The Government is monitoring the convoy needs of security forces on a real time basis and making all attempts to minimize public inconvenience. Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was reduced only to Sunday w.e.f. 22-04-2019 and the prohibition on Wednesday was lifted.
As indicated earlier, the Government is alive to the needs of citizens and will seek to balance public convenience with requirements of security force convoys.
The Government has once again reviewed the requirement of security forces. Following the successful conduct of elections in Anantnag & Kulgam districts and as the requirement of Security Forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the Government has decided to further relax the restrictions on traffic imposed earlier as follows: –
- The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 will be completely lifted w.e.f. 2-05-2019. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic in this stretch on Sunday or Wednesday.
- The restrictions would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. However, these would be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces.
- The local administration would continue to facilitate movement of civilian traffic as has been happening so far, including by allowing public transport of JKSRTC to move during the period of restriction on the NH.
- A complete review of restrictions on the Highway would be done subsequently.
The Government stated that the purpose of these restrictions is in the larger interest of security of everyone and appealed the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic. The restrictions strike a balance between the needs of people and inconvenience caused to them on one side and the needs of security forces.
The restrictions will continue to be reviewed on a real time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days.
Burqas should be banned in public places : Shiv Sena
Srinagar: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday called for a ban on the use of burqa by women of a particular community.
The statement from the Hindutva group came as Sri Lankan government mulls a similar ban in the wake of the Easter terror strikes which claimed over 250 lives.
“This restriction has been recommended as an emergency measure to ensure the security forces do not encounter difficulties in identifying anybody. People wearing face-masks or burqas could pose a threat to national security,” said the Sena in an editorial in the party mouthpieces, “Saamana” and “Dopahar Ka Saamana”.
Following the killing of at least 250 people in suicide attacks, Sri Lanka has banned face coverings in public.
President Maithruipala Sisirsena said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday.
Any face garment which “hinders identification” will be banned to ensure national security, his office said.
The niqab and burka – worn by Muslim women – were not specifically named.
The move is perceived as targeting the garments, however.
2 minor boys injured as shell goes off Kulgam village
Srinagar, May 1: Two boys were injured when a shell they were fiddling with went off in Dhamhal Hanjpora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.
Official sources told GNS that the boys were fiddling with the explosive device when it went off at Dhamhal Hanjpora, causing minor injuries to both of them.
The duo identified as Shahid (12) and Ikhlaq (11) and both were shifted to near by PHC for treatment, they said.
After being treated at the PHC, Ikhlaq was reffered to district hospital Kulgam for advanced treatment, they said.
A doctor at PHC Dhamhal told GNS that Shahid received injuries in his hand while as Ikhlaq suffered wounds in his face. The doctor however said that the condition of both the boys are stable.
A police officer also confirmed it and said that police has taken cognizance of the incident and further investigations have been up. (GNS)
Man dies after falling from a newly constructed house in Mendhar
M S Nazki Poonch
Poonch, May 01:A 55 year old man died after falling from a newly constructed house in Mendhar area of Poonch district on Wednesday morning.
Reports reaching GNS that a man namely Somnath Sharma son of Rugunath Nath sharma Resident of Dachial, Mendhar age 55 while spilling water to the newly constructed house suddenly fell unconscious due to which he fell from house on to the ground.
He was rushed immediately to the SDH Mendhar where doctors declared him brought dead.
Medical officer Javaid Ahmad told GNS that Somnath was brought as dead to hospital and it seems he had a heart attack due to which he has fallen unconscious which led to his fall from the house, the officer said. (GNS)