New Delhi, Nov 22: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Punjab government’s request to access the statements of witnesses who had testified before a committee led by former apex court judge Indu Malhotra, investigating the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab in January 2022.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan instructed the state government to proceed with its own inquiry against the officers involved, without relying on the witness statements provided to the committee.

The top court had appointed the Malhotra-led committee on January 12, 2022, to investigate the security lapse. After receiving the committee’s report, the case was reviewed on August 25, 2022, and the report was directed to be kept in a sealed cover in the safe custody of the Secretary General of the Supreme Court.

However, the Punjab government later sent a letter seeking the witness statements in order to proceed with further actions against the officers involved. The bench firmly stated that there was no reason to grant the request and directed the state to conduct its own investigation independently.

The committee’s findings had revealed that Ferozepur’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Avneet Hans, failed to take appropriate action to ensure the security of the prime minister despite having sufficient resources at his disposal. It was noted that the SSP had been informed two hours in advance about the prime minister’s route but did not take the necessary measures to prevent the security breach, which led to Modi’s convoy being blocked by protesters on January 5, 2022, on a flyover in Ferozepur. As a result, the prime minister had to cut short his visit without attending any scheduled events.

The committee also recommended the establishment of an oversight committee for regular updates to the ‘Blue Book,’ which outlines procedures for ensuring the safety of the prime minister, and the introduction of sensitization courses for officers responsible for his security.

In August 2022, the Supreme Court had directed the report to be sent to the Centre for appropriate action against the responsible officials.

Srinagar, Nov 21: Two media persons from Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir have been booked for allegedly publishing false and misleading reports, police said on Thursday.

According to a police official, the incident occurred in Sopore, where the journalists, identified as Mueeb ul Haq from Sopore and Suhail Khan from Delina Baramulla, were accused of misrepresenting a hit-and-run case as a murder case on social media platforms.

The official stated, “On Wednesday, Sopore Police Station received credible information that the two individuals had resorted to wrong reporting, posting frivolous news on social media that misrepresented facts. This misinformation rapidly spread across Sopore, creating the potential for law and order issues. It also hurt public sentiments and cast unwarranted doubt on the investigating agency.”

Following this, an FIR was registered under relevant legal sections, and both journalists were arrested.

The case pertains to an incident on November 5, when Azhar Janwari was injured in a hit-and-run accident. Janwari succumbed to his injuries on November 18 at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar. The accused driver, Nadeem Badam from Sopore, was traced and confessed to the offense, officials said.

Sopore police have urged both the public and the media to avoid spreading unverified information, emphasizing that such actions can disrupt public peace and hinder ongoing investigations.

Srinagar, Nov 21: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, conducted a detailed review of the crime and security situation in Bandipora district as part of a broader initiative to assess the security landscape across the Kashmir Valley.

During his visit, IGP Birdi chaired a high-level meeting at the District Police Lines (DPL) Bandipora. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including DIG North Kashmir Range Baramulla, Maqsood-Ul-Zaman, IPS, and SSP Bandipora, Harmeet Singh Mehta, JKPS. Discussions centered on addressing current security challenges, analyzing crime trends, and evaluating the policing strategies employed in the district.

SSP Harmeet Singh Mehta provided a comprehensive briefing on the district’s security status, outlining recent crime trends and measures undertaken to maintain law and order. IGP Birdi stressed the need for continuous vigilance and underscored the importance of swift and effective operational responses to preempt potential threats and ensure sustained peace.

As part of the visit, IGP Birdi inspected Special Operations Group (SOG) camps in the district. He emphasized the importance of regular training and readiness among police personnel and directed officers to enhance surveillance on Anti-National Elements (ANEs). He also called for proactive measures to prevent any untoward incidents.

The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering coordination among security agencies to uphold peace and stability in Bandipora.

Srinagar, Nov 22: Night temperatures in Kashmir have continued to drop, with Srinagar recording its coldest night of the season so far, plunging to a chilling minus 1.2°C on Friday. The Meteorological Department reported further drops across the Valley, signaling the onset of harsher winter conditions.

In addition to Srinagar, Pahalgam saw the mercury dip to minus 2.3°C, while Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.6°C. As the cold deepens, residents are flocking to stores, with blankets, quilts, warm clothing, and woolen wear flying off the shelves in Srinagar and other towns. Local vendors on the streets are doing brisk business, with shoppers bargaining for winter essentials.

The drop in temperatures has led to morning frost, with water taps freezing, causing inconvenience for residents who struggle to thaw them. Many people are gathering around small fires to warm themselves and defrost taps. Commuters are facing difficulty as vehicle windscreens are covered with a thin layer of frost, adding to the morning chill.

Kashmiris are preparing for the upcoming 40-day winter period known as ‘Chillai Kalan,’ which begins on December 21 and lasts until January 30. During this time, temperatures plummet further, and roads, streets, and pedestrian paths become treacherously slippery, prompting many to stay indoors until the thaw begins.

Areas like Gurez, Tulail, and Zojila Pass have seen intermittent snowfall over the past two weeks, further intensifying the cold. Daytime temperatures hover around 5 to 7°C, making both day and night extremely cold throughout the ‘Chillai Kalan’ period.

Meanwhile, in the Jammu division, temperatures are comparatively milder. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 11.3°C, Katra 10.4°C, Batote 5.6°C, Banihal 2°C, and Bhaderwah 2.6°C.