New Delhi, Sept 12: Making a scathing attack at Rahul Gandhi for meeting people including controversial Catholic priest George Ponnaiah, Union Minister Ajay Bhatt slammed for supporting people who are hell-bent on dividing India, and said that Congress has been opposing every decision of PM Modi including the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and the surgical strikes in Pakistan.
Reacting to Catholic priest George Ponnaiah’s controversial statement “Jesus Christ is the real God, not like Shakti,” Bhatt said that Rahul Gandhi is meeting “divisive personalities, Congress has consistently stood in support of former party president Rahul Gandhi on the priest controversy. The party claims that they don’t meet people after doing background checks and in Parliament, their MPs sit with the worshipers of Godse”.
Bhatt said, “The people who have tried to divide the country and those who used to say that India will be divided into pieces, the Congress give respect to them, which clearly shows that those who work to divide the country, agitate, and break people are today talking about connecting India. First of all, Congress should answer why they have kept those people who talk about dividing our country. Those who were talking about breaking the country were doing big agitations, are today saying that they are working to unite India.”
Referring to the development in Jammu and Kashmir post the abolition of Article 370, he further slammed Congress for opposing the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said Congress stated that with the change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir rivers of blood will flow.
“Whether there has been a surgical strike or an air strike, a country that differs from us is our neighbour, the questions they raised, the same questions were raised by these people (Congress) who are today talking about connecting India,” he said.
“The public is much aware and understands everything and they don’t believe such people at all. Very irresponsible statements keep coming again and again from them. Democracy is strengthened if the opposition is sensible. It is very good that in a democracy there is a ruling party and Opposition and when both work properly, the purpose is served. But here, whatever Prime Minister Narendra Modi does, it has become a habit of the Opposition to find fault in it. This Bharat Jodo Yatra is nothing but their inability to do anything,” he said while several criticizing Congress for not supporting the government for the welfare of the people.
What Prime Minister did in Har Ghar Tiranga is called an attempt to connect India. All castes, religions, classes and regions came up with a flag, this is called connecting India.
Rahul Gandhi, who is on a 150-day-long Bharat Jodo Yatra, on Friday met a controversial catholic priest George Ponnaiah in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
A video clip of Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with the Tamil Nadu pastor went viral, in which Rahul Gandhi can be heard asking, “Jesus Christ is a form of God? Is that right?” to which the Tamil Nadu priest George Ponniah replied, “He is the real God.”
Ponniah goes on to say, “God reveals him(self) as a man, a real person…not like Shakti…so we see a human person.”
Ponniah has a history of delivering provocative statements that have landed him in trouble in the past. He was arrested last year in July in Kallikudi, Madurai for allegedly making a ‘hate speech’ against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, DMK Minister and others. (Agencies)
Union Minister Ajay Bhatt slams Congress for supporting people who are hell-bent on dividing India
Car Falls Into Gorge, 2 Die In Doda near Nandna, Thathri, Jammu & Kashmir
JAMMU, Sep 12: Two persons died on Monday when a car they were traveling in met with an accident and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said the car on its way from Thathri towards Cherra met with the accident near Nandna, Thathri.
“The vehicle rolled down about 70 to 80 feet deep into the gorge from the road and two persons died on the spot,” said the police. (Agencies)
Supreme Court Dismisses Father’s Plea Seeking To Exhume Son’s Body Killed In Hyderpora Encounter
NEW DELHI, Sept 12: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea of a father to hand over the body of his son, who was killed in the Hyderpora encounter in Kashmir in November last year.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.B. Pardiwala said once buried the body should not be disturbed and the Jammu and Kashmir has submitted that the deceased was buried with all honour, and nothing to indicate that the body was not given a decent burial.
The bench said it respects the sentiments of the father, but the court cannot decide matters on sentiments and the relief granted by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court was just and equitable and dismissed the appeal filed by Mohammad Latief Magrey.
The top court directed the state government to comply with the high court direction in connection with the compensation to the family and also allow them to offer prayers at the grave.
During the hearing, the advocate representing the Jammu and Kashmir administration had submitted that it was not in dispute that the deceased was a terrorist and the CD submitted to the high court showed that all Islamic last rites were performed as per the book.
The J&K administration counsel added that eight months have passed, the body would have decomposed and now exhuming the body will only lead to law-and-order problems, and he has lost his son but he was a terrorist. Jammu and Kashmir administration was represented by standing counsel Taruna Ardhendumauli Prasad.
Magrey moved the apex court challenging the Jammu and Kashmir high court order, which did not allow exhumation of his son’s body. Four people were killed in the encounter, including Aamir Magrey, on the outskirts of Srinagar on November 15 last year. The petition was filed through advocate Nupur Kumar. (Agencies)
NIA carries out raids in 3 States in case related to narco-terrorism by alleged gangsters
NEW DELHI, Sept 12: The NIA on Monday carried out raids in three States in connection with a case related to narco-terrorism by alleged gangsters, some of whom were also involved in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, officials said.
Raids were being carried out in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and the sites included the residences of Goldy Brar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria who are also accused in the killing of Moosewala, they said.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing a case of the alleged involvement of gangs in Punjab in smuggling drugs from Pakistan and the money later being pumped into terror-related activities.
The raids were carried out at Yamuna Nagar, Majitha road, Muktsar, Gurdaspur and Gurugram, they said.
The case of Moosewala’s murder is being probed by the Punjab Police which has arrested 23 people in connection with it.
Moosewala was killed in Mansa on May 29 when he along with his friend and cousin was travelling in a jeep to Jawahar Ke village. A day earlier, the Punjab police had pruned his security cover on a temporary basis. Goldy Brar, who is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had claimed the responsibility for the murder. (Agencies)
People of J&K against terrorism, helping police: LG Manoj Sinha
People of Jammu and Kashmir are against terrorism and helping police now to deal with it, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said.
“The situation in Jammu and Kashmir changed after revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Recently the way people of Jammu and Kashmir participated in ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ shows the change the UT is witnessing,” he told reporters here.Sinha was here to attend a programme at Chowdhury Charan Singh University.
“Our aim is to develop Jammu and Kashmir as the best state of the country with the help of people,” he said.
“The people of the state are against terrorism and helping police to deal with it. After revocation of Article of 370, the backbone of terrorism is broken. There was a time when a flight to Centre used to carrying terrorists for peace talks, but this is not so now,” the Lt Governor said.
“Earlier, peace was purchased, now it is established,” he added.
Sinha said in the past seven months, 147 terrorists, including 42 of foreign origin, were killed.
He said the UT is filled with “self confidence” and everyone is waiting for the “social justice”.
“Everyone is being given better life. There was time when files were brought from Srinagar…but now there is e-office system which saved Rs 400 crore,” Sinha said.
J&K Forest Deptt observes ‘National Forest Martyrs Day’
The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department Sunday observed the ‘National Forest Martyrs Day’ to pay homage to the brave forest officers and frontline staff who laid down their lives while protecting the forest wealth in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the Forest Martyrs Memorial, Shankaracharya Hills, Srinagar, erected in memory of Forest Martyrs of J&K, was dedicated by the frontline forest staff to the J&K Forest Department in presence of Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and HoFF. Also present on the occasion were Neelu Gera, PCCF and Chairperson Pollution Control Committee, and T Rabi Kumar, APCCF Kashmir.
They laid wreaths at Forester’s Memorial to pay tributes to martyrs on this day. Besides, senior forest officers, regional heads of various allied Departments, and frontline staff also offered floral tributes and prayers to the martyrs to mark their respects.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India had declared the 11th of September as National Forest Martyrs Day in the year 2013 in recognition of the infamous Khejarli Massacre of 1730.
In J&K, around 100 forest officers/officials have laid their lives for the protection of the rich forest wealth of the Union Territory and in recognition of their supreme sacrifice, the Forest Department has erected four Foresters Memorials recently. Out of the four, two are located in Jammu and Kashmir, two memorials have been erected in Shankaracharya Hills and Kashmir Forest Training School, Chitternar. National Forest Martyrs Day was also observed in other Forester’s Memorials.
After paying homage, a brief function was held at Forest Headquarters Sheikhbagh, Srinagar for the distribution of Departmental Awards to 17 frontline Forest Officers and staff for outstanding performance in the field of ‘Afforestation/ Forest Protection/ Training and Capacity Building/ Demarcation for the year 2021-22’.
On the occasion, Nazir Benazir, Chairman of NGO was also felicitated for his dedicated efforts in afforestation programmes of the Forest Department, including Green J&K Drives. 75 students (Bal Brigade) were also felicitated with certificates for their involvement in afforestation activities and supporting the establishment of Bal Van in Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, Gera PCCF and HoFF thanked the UT Administration for all the support.
He remembered the Forest Martyrs and exhorted upon the officers to evolve with the emerging challenges faced by the Department. He spoke in detail about the need for the protection of forests and their future role given increasing pressures – urbanization, development, rise in population, and the changing climate.
He informed that forests are going to play a central role in the future towards water security, food security, energy security as well as health and wellness, besides providing ecological security to the fragile mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir. This calls for an increasing role of the Forest Department and its officers, especially the frontline staff.
Gera appreciated the efforts of Forest Officers and frontline staff in the protection of forests and for implementation of recent flagship initiatives of the Government, particularly “Green J&K Drive”, rejuvenation of Amrit Sarovars, Ecotourism, Industry friendly initiatives, and online services for ease of doing business.
The efforts made by Zubair Ahmad Shah, Conservator of Forests, Srinagar Circle, Abid Nazir, DFO Urban Forestry Srinagar, and others in successfully organising the National Forest Martyrs Day were also appreciated.
Bear and cub roaming in Srinagar captured, schools allowed to resume operations
Srinagar, Sept 12: In a big relief to the residents of Srinagar, the bear and a cub which were roaming in the city captured by a team of wildlife department on Monday.
The wild bear had created fear and authorities now say all schools can function normally.
“After 21 hours non stop operation, Black Bear spotted yesterday in Rajbagh area has been tranquillised. Great job by the Team led by Wildlife Department, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Aijaz Asad said in a tweet.
“Area has been scanned and sanitized. All educational institutions in the area shall open normally as per daily routine, he added.
The bear on Sunday injured a security guard of private school at Lal Mandi. It has not been revealed so far by the authorities as to how the bear and the cub reached the densely populated area of Srinagar.
Cloudy sky, light rain at isolated places likely in J&K: MeT
JAMMU, Sep 12: The Meteorological (MeT) office said on Monday that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness cloudy sky with light rain at isolated places during the next 24 hours.
Weather was inclement in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
“Mainly cloudy sky with light rain at isolated places is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Jammu had 20.8, Katra 18.7, Batote 13, Banihal 11.8 and Bhaderwah 13.7 as the minimum.
Srinagar had 14.2, Pahalgam 9.1 and Gulmarg 6.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Kargil in Ladakh region had 16 and Leh 11.9 as the minimum temperature. (Agencies)
Active Covid cases decline to 47,176
New Delhi, Sep 12: India logged 5,221 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,45,00,580, while the active cases dipped to 47,176, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll climbed to 5,28,165 with 15 fatalities which includes four deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.11 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.71 per cent, the ministry said.
A decline of 769 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.(Agencies)
Kasmiri Pandits protest, demand for relocation to Jammu
Kashmiri Pandits today protested in Jammu demanding for relocation from the valley.
The community fears for their lives in Kashmir in the current situation with ongoing terrorist activities and targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits.
Shouting slogans like, ‘We want Justice’, and holding placards that read, ‘Don’t rehabilitate us on the cost of our blood, orphaning our child and widowing our wives’, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits took to the streets demanding relocation until the situation improves in the Valley.