Srinagar, April 24 : Police Wednesday said a large number of youth had been “quietly” weaned away from militancy but refused to reveal the exact numbers owing to “security concerns.”

“There are many youth who have either surrendered or were stopped from joining militancy. We can’t reveal the exact numbers for their safety and security,” police chief Dilbag Singh said while addressing a press conference here.  

He said Jammu and Kashmir had seen “positive trends” during 2018 vis-à-vis  “law and order situation.”  

“Recruitment of local youth dipped down and continues to be very low,” he said, adding 272 militants were killed and many apprehended.

“Large scale modules working on behalf of militants were also busted and those arrested remain in judicial custody,” he said. 

The Director General of Police  (DGP) said: “stone pelting and law and order engagements came down to a drastic level.”

“We admire youth for not disrupting law and order situation,” he said.

The police chief said security forces had caused a huge dent to militant groups Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad by “neutralizing top leadership.”

He said while Panchayat Elections were held successfully, there was no poll-related violence in the ongoing Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon said “no one is coming forward to take Jaish leadership in Kashmir” due to the “elimination of a large number of militants.”

“Recruitment level of local youth is down as pointed out by DGP,” he said. 

“And also no one knows about these boys who have surrendered,” he said, alluding to the police chief’s remarks.  

The GOC also appealed local youth not to come to encounter sites during or after gunfights.

He said after Lashkar had “killed a young boy after holding him hostage during Budgam encounter, Kashmiris must ask if this is jihad ya jahalat.” 

Inputs from GNS

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: Reiterating Congress Party’s resolve to defeat the political exploitation, corruption and favoritism in J&K, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President and Party Candidate G.A. Mir has said that people of J&K have been facing the brunt of betrayal, misleading politics on the part of PDP BJP and others.

Mir also said that Anantnag has voted against the opportunist politics in the first phase appealing the people of Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama to follow suit.

Addressing various public meetings in Manzgam, Nadimarg  and Kulgam in Kulgam District today, Mir who is also Party Candidate from South Kashmir emphasized the people to  support Congress Party  in its endeavor to put an  end to the emotional blackmailing and political exploitation on the Part of PDP and other opportunist Parties, which have equally betrayed people, from time to time, for electoral gains.

JKPCC President was accompanied by Shahnawaz Chowdhary, Surinder Singh Channi, Indu Pawar, Udhay Chib, Anayatullah Rather and others.

He said the State of Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a crucial phase due to the surrender of PDP before BJP RSS after securing votes from people especially the south Kashmir, who feel betrayed and cheated after 2014 elections. People had voted for a particular cause in these elections, but their trust was betrayed by PDP by aligning with the communal forces for the sake of power.

“I want to remind you about the promises made to you by PDP during the 2014 Assembly Elections, what they promised to you,” Mir told the people and said this party (PDP) blackmailed you emotionally and misled you oversensitive issue of article 370 pledging to keep BJP out power, bringing back the power projects, besides repealing AFSPA and what not, what happened after the elections was known to everybody.

“I am confident that people would come out in Phase II and Phase IIIrd in large number and cast their vote to ensure victory of Congress Party, for the fact, it is the Congress Party alone which stands guarantee to integrity, special status of the State and dignity of people in all the three regions,” Mir said.

He said South Kashmir has bled enough due to the wrong policies of PDP and its old friend BJP, there was a huge disillusionment among the people because of violence and bloodshed, people need to understand that the PDP, which was responsible for the damages is again trying to woo the voters by  running papers horses only, the matter of the fact is, PDP cannot do anything, this party which has sacrificed its core agenda for power has against started misleading people over sensitive issues like safeguarding special status of the J&K, which is beyond its reach, Mir said.

Congress Party alone can safeguard special status of the state and will do everything to defeat the communal agenda of BJP RSS, besides exploitative politics of other political parties in J&K, Mir added.

“Reiterated Congress Party’s commitment to further strengthen special status granted to J&K, won’t allow BJP RSS even to touch it,” Mir said.

He further said PDP during its three and half year rule used the Govt machinery to benefit blue-eyed persons and relatives in respect of government Job, employment in JK Bank, allotment of big contracts etc and preferred favouritism over transparency and merit, resulting in the unemployment has risen considerably which was the main cause of  youth  getting isolated, Mir assured that Congress Party  will work to create employment opportunities  to contain the unemployment menace in the State, Mir said

On this occasion Senior PDP Leader Ch. Mehar Noor joined Congress party and vowed to strengthen Congress Party further in his area.

Those who addressed included Shahnawaz Ch, Surinder Singh Channi, Anayatullah Rather, Indu Pawar, Udhay Chibb, Aijaz Mehar, Dr Ayoub, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Ab. Rashid Lone, Pir Nizam U Din, Zameer Ahmad Mir and others.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the low voter turnout in Anantnag and Bijbehara is a lesson for PDP and Mehbooba Mufti. He asserted that the ensuing elections are significant since it provides the people of the state an opportunity to reveal how passionately they feel about their identity including Art370, Art 35-A.

Addressing two separate public meets at Chawalgam and Homeshalibug, Kulgam party vice president said that the threats of BJP-RSS to abrogate Art 370, Art 35A will be defeated as the people of the state will not allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs. “Today state is facing an assault on its special status from all sides, however, all the machinations of the forces as are inimical to our status will fall flat if the people of our state show resoluteness in protecting the identity and integrity of our state. This time people across the state have taken it upon themselves to trounce the efforts as are hell-bent to destroy the special constitutional status of the state,” he said adding, “Today’s elections is not about choosing MLA’s, today our state is fraught with a challenging situation.  The need of the hour is to send a representative to Parliament who can fight for the interests of the state, the situation that the state is facing today demands of having a credible voice at Delhi who can work tireless both within and outside parliament for the protection of Art 370, Art 35-A. Seeing the scope of work and the challenges we are facing, we considerately fielded Retired Justice Hasnain Sb from Anantnag constituency. He is known for his pronounced judgments on Art 370, Art 35 A. He boasts the necessary political and legal acumen to deal with the situation.”

While highlighting the importance of Art 370, Art 35 A, Omar said, “It is needless to say how important Art 370, Art 35-A is for the state and its people. Today the people of our state are masters of its own land. They work on their land and derive their sustenance from it. God forbid, if these articles are done away with, the consequences that will follow shall be beyond our comprehension. The people of the state will stop to cleave to a respectable denomination which Sher-e-Kashmir bestowed upon them through famous land to tiller reforms and other people-friendly measures. Our kids would not be able to derive various scholarships from the government. The youth of our state will cease to be the sole beneficiary of jobs in government sector. Keeping in mind the far-reaching consequences of abrogation of our status, we deemed it fit to have Hasnain Masoodi represent us in parliament from Anantnag.”

While flaying Mebooba Mufti for betraying, berating and squandering the trust of people. “The amount of disgruntlement and disillusionment of the people against Mehbooba can be gauged from the fact that a place from where she got a lead of 12,000 votes in 2016 elections only saw total 956 people cast their ballot. Even her own brother and a sitting MLC didn’t cast his vote in her favor. If her own brother didn’t repose his faith in her, how can others,” he said.

While censuring PDP and Mufti’s on deceiving people on the promises it made while canvassing for elections in 2014, he said, “They were not able to keep any of their promises. People didn’t see any jobs. The promise of lessening the footprint of security forces also turned out to be a sham. On the contrary, she shamelessly presided over a plethora of miseries that people of Kashmir especially the people of south Kashmir had to go through,” he said adding, “She took votes from you on the pretext of keeping out but she eventually clubbed with them. The much-touted AOA also turned out to be a damp squib.”

He said that the promises made by Mufti’s and PDP on the protection of our special status were big lies. “They were the one who implemented SARFAESI, NFSA, and GST in the state.  They were the one who brought NIA to state. They failed to deliver on every promise they made in the run-up for elections in 2014. We didn’t see them repeal AFSPA; on the contrary, they slashed PSA on thousands of our youngsters, most of which are still languishing in jails. She failed miserably on every matrix; she failed to protect the state’s status, she failed to provide jobs and above all, she pushed the state into chaos and conflict. It was south Kashmir that bore the brunt of her imprudent policies. They are the ones who provided a platform to BJP-RSS in the state.”

Omar while censuring Mehbooba Mufti forgiving platform to the BJP-RSS, said, “Today we see her shedding tears on the miseries. People would have appreciated if she would have shed her tears when scores of our youth were devoured upon in her stint as chief minister. The tears we see in her eyes are not out of remorse neither, on the contrary, these tears are political tears, and she is craftily shedding to gain the lost ground. However, people have made it a point of not falling prey to her shenanigans and slyness. People remember how she had bolted her mouth in 2016. We didn’t see her raise qualms over the problems faced by people when she was enjoying power with the BJP, her tears emerged only after when BJP withdrew the support.”

Ridiculing PDP’s undertaking of protecting Art 370, Art 35 A, Omar said, “Today we see Mehbooba pledging to protect the state’s special status given the fact that she was the one who did much damage to it during her stint as chief minister. We saw NFSA, SARFAESI and GST being implemented in the state in her tenure. Today our people are hankering for basic edibles including sugar, who is responsible for it? Every commodity has become dearer; every commodity is subject to heavy taxations, who is responsible for it? Who is responsible for breaking the back of small and marginal artisans, hoteliers, and other traders? We didn’t? It was she who took many cataclysmic decisions when she was in power. Every single sector of our state is ailing today be it tourism, horticulture and handicrafts. People still remember how she mocked the miseries of families who lost their kids in 2016 with her ‘milk and toffee’ comments. It was she who barefacedly said that the guns of security persons are not for display but action.”

Omar said that he is not given to double speaking, and when in power he had publically told the then PM Manmohan Singh that the issue of J&K  is political in nature and can only be solved politically. “Once the new government takes the reins of power in centre we will impress upon them that the issue of J&K can only be solved through talks. We will work for securing our children a secure life. We will work for the restoration of autonomy,” he said.

Among others retired justice Hasnain Masoodi, Nasir Aslam Wani, Basharat Bukhari, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, political advisor to vice president Tanvir Sadiq, Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, provincial spokesperson and in-charge constituency Kulgam Imran Nabi Dar, Safdar Khan, Dr Mohammad Shafi, Advocate Abdul Rahman Tantray and Salam Ud Din Bajad also addressed the public and urged the people to rally around the flag of National conference.

DM Srinagar orders strict action

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, in the exercise of powers vested in him under the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary (JKPB) Act 1960, on Wednesday issued an order directing the immediate arrest of persons found soliciting alms at public places. The spokesman said that order is aimed at ensuring implementation of provisions of the JKPB Act prohibiting soliciting of alms at public places.

It directs for immediate action against anyone indulging in soliciting of alms at public places including in or around places of worship or entering any private premises for the purpose of soliciting alms.

The order also directs for action against those exhibiting sores or wounds or injuries or deformities or disease with the object of obtaining or extorting alms.

The order states that offenders will be arrested and booked under Section 4 of the JKPB Act 1960 read with Section 61 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1989.

Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar has been asked to ensure strict implementation of the order and report the number of such arrests made on a daily basis.

The order is aimed at preventing public nuisance that beggary and its proliferation in the district as is the case possess to the day-to-day life.

Srinagar, Apr 24 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday said that today’s elections were aimed to fight against the forces who are hell-bent to out an end to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba who was addressing workers at circuit house in South Kashmir’s Shoipan district, said that this election was not meant for electric polls, wires, macadamization of roads and other related things but against the forces who are claiming to abrogate Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.

“This election is simply aimed to protect the special status of J&K,” she said.

Earlier, Mehbooba led a protest march in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district against the suspension of cross LoC trade, highway ban and Jama’at-e-Islami ban.

Talking to reporters, Mehbooba later said that while fighting with militants, their families must not be harassed. (KNS)

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: The selected candidates for the post of Sub-Inspectors of Police in Jammu and Kashmir police department on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration in Srinagar against what they called ‘delayed response from the Home Department’.

Amid rains, scores of the candidates assembled at press colony, registered their protest and sought the intervention of J&K Governor, Principal Secretary Home and DGP for granting permission from State Chief Election Officer of J&K for Issuance of Formal  Appointment Letters in favour of the candidates.

According to the handout issued to press, the candidates have completed all the formalities which deem them to fit for the final appointment. Whereas the process according to them is lingering since its final selection list declared in December 2018, but they are yet to join the department.

They said that selection for the said post has already consumed their three previous years as this process is going on since 2016. “It is rueful to mention that the process of our joining is yet to have its own day. Due to undue delays, this recruitment became the prey of different hiccups and numerous litigations which resulted sorrowfully the temporary halt on our joining before four months by the High Court. But after proper study of the case by HC this interim stay order was revoked under order Dated 9th April 2019, SWP – 3019/2018, 185/2019,” the handout reads.

Meanwhile, HC has directed the department to go ahead with the appointment process without any impediments in between. However, PHQ shortly after the revocation of stay from SI Joining tried to seek the quick permission from State Chief Electoral Officer through the proper channel but nothing substantial has been aired-out so far because of unknown reasons, they said.

The candidates have appealed the authorities to intervene into the matter and issue the formal appointment orders in favour of the candidates before Darbar Move.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: HR Construction Corporation founder Haji Ghulam Hassan Mir is no more. He breathed his last early Wednesday morning, family sources said.

Mir was not well for some time and spent a few months in Delhi in the past winter in meeting doctors. He flew home recently and was restricted to the home. He breathed his last this morning.

Mir was heading a group of companies that includes HK Cements, HK Nissan in addition to the HRCC. Mir’s funeral prayers are scheduled to take place at 9:30 am at Jinazagah, Mir Mohalla, Near Mir Masjid, Athwajan, Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Syed Basharat, Editor in Chief of The Kashmir Despatch has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. He has also expressed solidarity with the Mir family, their friends and acquaintances in this difficult time of grief.   

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday said that the next government in Jammu and Kashmir will not be formed without Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing party workers convention at Circuit House in Shopian, Mehbooba claimed that PDP took a lead against their opponents in the first phase of polling for Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

The first part of three-phased Lok Sabha election in Anantnag was held on Tuesday with the district recording 13.63 per cent voter turnout.

The PDP chief said she desired to visit Shopian in past but was advised by party workers to delay the visit.

In her address, Mehbooba said PDP was fighting the elections for protection of article 35-A in the Indian Constirution.

She castigated state Congress, saying they were talking about safeguarding of Article 370 but it was Ghulam Nabi Azad as chief Minister of the State, who transferred thousands of Kannals of land to Amarnath Shrine board.

Inputs from RK

Srinagar: The intermittent rains continued to lash Valley since Tuesday evening, bringing the temperature down in Kashmir.

However, the local meteorological department here predicted improvement in weather conditions from Thursday evening.

The rains began on Tuesday evening and continued intermittently till this evening. The rains in the Valley led to dip in the temperature.

Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather conditions in Kashmir would improve from Thursday evening.

He said the light rainfall would continue intermittently till Thursday evening following which there will be improvement in the weather.

Ahmad said that in plains the weather would improve from Thursday afternoon while in higher reaches it will start improving from evening.

Meanwhile, an official in Meteorological department informed that Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 12.0 degrees Celsius last night against 8.9 degrees Celsius normal for this time of the season.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir received 3.9 mm of rain since overnight till 8:30 hours, he said.

The official said that Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 10.8 degrees Celsius and had a rainfall of 6.8 mm while the mercury in Kokernag town in south Kashmir settled at a low of 9.2 degrees Celsius and it had 8.6 mm of rains during the time. (KNS)