SRINAGAR, Nov 24: State Investigation Agency Kashmir on Thursday carried multiple raids across J&K in connection with militant funding case.
Official sources said that SIA conducted raids at Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag, Srinagar and Kishtwar.
Till this report was being filed there was no report of any arrest or recovery so far from these ongoing raids. (Agencies)
Militant Funding Case: SIA Kashmir Conducts Multiple Raids in JK
One who wants to serve country will never become Agniveer: Akhilesh Yadav
Taking a jibe at the centre’s newly introduced Agnipath scheme once again, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that the one who wants to serve the country will “never want to become Agniveer”.
The SP chief, while addressing Ex-Servicemen Conference in poll-bound Mainpuri asserted that no one was given a job after the recruitment rally under the scheme in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad. The party has fielded the wife of Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav on the seat for the by-poll scheduled to be held on December 5.
“Recruitments were done in Farrukhabad, but no one got a job. The government is saying that it is saving the budget through these schemes, but when the country itself will not survive, how can the budget survive,” Akhilesh claimed.
Seeking the support of the ex-servicemen in the forces, the SP chief said that people believe them and that their support will have an impact on the people.
“I am hopeful that our party workers are working, our leaders are working hard and if you support us, there will be no worries for us. The people believe that when you say something, they trust you,” he said.
The Mainpuri seat, considered a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party, will be going to by-polls on December 5 which was mandated due to the demise of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav on October 10 this year.
The party released a list of star campaigners for the by-poll which comprised of Shivpal Yadav, Akhilesh’s uncle and Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohiya) chief. The other prominent names that are part of the list are Akhilesh, Jaya Bachchan, Azam Khan and others.
The result of the by-poll will be declared on December 8.
Farmers begin sowing wheat across border fence in Kathua
Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department (PD & MD) Dr Raghav Langer on Wednesday kick started wheat sowing across the fence at the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Chack Changa, Hiranagar of Kathua district.
The Secretary, PD & MD was accompanied by DIG, BSF, Hari Om; DC Kathua Rahul Pandey; DDC Member Marheen Karan Kumar Attri, SDM Rakesh Kumar and Chief Agriculture Officer Sanjeev Rai.
Dr Langer said the UT Administration along with the BSF authorities is actively pursuing the potential of cultivation in the border belt so that farming communities get maximum benefit from the chunk of land, which was lying unutilized hitherto.
Dr Langer suggested adoption of mechanized ways of farming by establishing machinery banks under BADP, SSY schemes so as to empower local farming communities in reaping rich dividends from their produce.
The Chief Agriculture Officer Kathua informed that the target for sowing wheat crop is enhanced to 200 acres from the current Rabi season which, he said, will be achieved with the handholding efforts of all stakeholders, government agencies and departments.
Dr Raghav Langer also inspected various developmental works, rural assets of border panchayats and interacted with progressive farmers at Haripur.
Later, Dr Langer presided over the proceedings of block Diwas at RC Farms Marheen wherein he threw light on the object of public outreach initiative of the government to listen to the grievances at doorsteps of the people.
Referring to the avenues of opportunities in border areas, Dr Raghav Langer said youth should aim at becoming a job creator rather than job seeker. He said youth should explore opportunities in entrepreneurship by availing self-employment opportunities extended by the government.
After listening to the issues of the locals, the DC redressed many grievances on the spot and passed a slew of directions to the concerned officers for early redressal of the projected issues. He assured the public that all their genuine grievances shall be redressed in a time bound manner.
J&K Govt Orders Celebrations Of Constitution Day On Nov 26
Jammu: To mark the “Constitution Day” celebrations, “preamble reading ceremonies” will be held across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in all government offices, autonomous bodies, PSUs, local self government institutions, schools and colleges.
The Constitution Day, also known as “Samvidhan Divas” is celebrated every year on November 26 to commemorate adoption of the Constitution of India. On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect from January 26, 1950. The sanctity of the auspicious occasion necessitates the rightful duty of the citizens to celebrate the august occasion. This year the Constitution Day is being celebrated on November 26 on the subject – ‘India- the Mother of Democracy.’
“Accordingly, for the celebrations and sensitizing citizens in respect of ideals enshrined in the Constitution, Preamble reading ceremonies shall be held across the country on November 26, 2022 at 11.00 am. It has been also decided that similar preamble reading ceremonies shall be held across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in all government offices, autonomous bodies, PSUs, local self government institutions (Panchayats, Municipal Bodies), Schools and/ Colleges,” read a GAD circular.
The Divisional Commissioners and Heads of the Departments, Deputy Commissioners and Managing Directors of all PSUs and Corporations have been directed to organize ‘Preamble reading ceremonies’ on similar lines, on the scheduled date and time in their respective offices, locations.
According to the circular, further talks, webinars, discussions to embolden the constitutional values and fundamental principles will also be taken up on Constitution Day.
Drone-dropped arms, ammo, cash recovered in Samba: Police
JAMMU, Nov 24: The Jammu and Kashmir police along with the special operations group recovered one suspicious package on Thursday, November 24, in the field near Chhani Manhasan in the Vijaypur area of J&K’s Samba. Upon inspection, the J&K police recovered arms and ammunition along with a wad of cash from the package which was dropped by a Pakistani drone from across the border.
Notably, following reliable input, J&K police spotted a package in the field in Jammu’s Samba in the early hours of Thursday. After getting the information about the suspicious package, security forces rushed to the spot including the bombs squad team of J&K police. According to the officials, the suspected package when recovered was sealed.
The J&K police recovered one steel Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two pistols, 4 magazines, several batteries and a watch from the package. They also recovered cash of around Rs 5 lakh from the package dropped in Samba.
Speaking about the recovery of the package, Additional SP Samba, Surinder Chaudhary said, “Police team from Vijaypur Police Station recovered one suspicious sealed packet today in the field near Chhani Manhasan in Samba, following reliable inputs. The spot is undisturbed and intact.
According to the preliminary information, this is a case of a drone dropping from Pakistan’s side attempting to smuggle in weapons and cash to the Indian side for carrying out terror-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the officials, there was a movement of a drone that was spotted in the area of Vijayapur which is opposite to Sialkot-Pakistan border.
Notably, senior police officials including SSP Samba reached the spot and monitored the operations. Also, searches are being conducted nearby as security forces suspect more drone droppings in the area concerned.
It is pertinent to mention that this drone dropping comes following a suspected drone detected by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars near Jammu airport in Jammu and Kashmir on November 20. Notably, the security forces were put on high alert after the suspected drone detection near the Jammu airport. (Agencies)
Searches underway across Kashmir in online threat to journalists case: Police
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday morning conducted searches in multiple locations in various places in three districts in the Union Territory as part of its investigation into a case registered with the State Investigative Agency in connection with ‘online journalists threat’ case.
Today’s searches is subsequent to the leads received from searches done a few days ago in the same case, Srinagar Police said.
The searches are being conducted in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts.
“Searches are going on in multiple locations in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts in connection with ‘online journalists threat’ case. This is subsequent to the leads received from searches done a few days ago in same case,” Srinagar Police tweeted.
Further details into the matter are awaited.
Earlier on November 19, in the wake of a threat to Kashmir- based journalists by a proscribed terror outfit, Srinagar Police conducted simultaneous searches at various locations across Kashmir.
The police team comprised of four to five members launched simultaneous searches at twelve locations across the valley including the houses of fugitives like Sajjad Gul, Mukhtar Baba, active terrorists of the proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF) and other suspects in Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
According to police, a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of law was registered in Sherghari police station against terror handlers, active terrorists and terrorist associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot of The Resistance Front (TRF) for online publication and dissemination of direct threat letters to journalists and reporters of Kashmir.
“The premises which were raided and searched belong to Mohd Rafi at Nigeen, Khalid Gul at Anantnag, Rashid Maqbool at Lal Bazar, Momin Gulzar at Eidgah, Basit Dar at Kulgam, Sajjad Kralyari at Rainawari, Gowhar Geelani at Soura, Qazi Shibli at Anantnag, Sajjad Sheikh @Sajjad Gul at HMT Srinagar, Mukhtar Baba at Nowgam, Waseem Khalid at Rawalpora and Adil Pandit at Khanyar Srinagar,” the police said. (Agencies)
India adds 408 new Covid cases; active tally at 5,881
New Delhi, Nov 24: India saw a single day rise of 408 coronavirus infections, taking the tally to 4,46,70,483, while active cases further declined to 5,881, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death toll has climbed to 5,30,601 with five fatalities, which include four reconciled by Kerala and one death reported from Rajathan in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases constitute 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
A decrease of 165 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in 24 hours.
The number of recoveries increased to 4,41,34,001, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 219.88 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
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.
India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
NSS SMVDU Conducts Self-defence Workshop
NSS SMVDU organised a self-defence workshop for girls on campus. Girls were trained for different moves and techniques they could adopt under challenging situations. The event started with basic warmup exercises like stretching which was followed by other self- defence techniques. Girls students participated actively in the event and performed the techniques taught to them with great interest. Ritwik Mishra and Kumar Raushan from the final year conducted the session, and both are well-trained for this skill. Dr. Rajiv Kumar, the NSS Programme coordinator of the University appreciated the efforts of volunteers.
Need a Chief Election Commissioner who can even take action against Prime Minister: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally observed that the need is for a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) who can even take action against the Prime Minister and also asked the Centre to show the mechanism adopted in the appointment of an Election Commissioner (EC) last week.
A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph said: “We need a CEC who can even take action against a PM.”
The bench, also comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and C.T. Ravikumar, said suppose for example, there is some allegation against the Prime Minister and the CEC has to act, but the the latter is weak-kneed and does not act.
The bench queried the Centre’s counsel that was it not a complete breakdown of the system. The CEC is supposed to be insulated from political influence and should be independent.
It further added that these are aspects on which “you (the Centre’s counsel) must delve into, and why we require an independent larger body for selection and not just Cabinet”.
The bench orally observed that committees say dire need for changes, and politicians also shout from rooftop but nothing happens.
The Centre is represented by Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh.
The bench also queried the Centre’s counsel to show the mechanism adopted in the appointment of the Election Commissioner.
Former Bureaucrat Arun Goel assumed the office of Election Commissioner on Monday, after being appointed to the post on November 19. Since May,this year, the post of one Election Commissioner in the three-member Commission was lying vacant after Sushil Chandra retired as the CEC.
During the hearing, the AG contended that the convention is that all senior bureaucrats and officers at the state and the central government are taken into consideration while appointment and this is scrupulously followed.
The AG further submitted that the appointment is done on the basis of convention and there is no separate appointment procedure of CEC.
He added that one is appointed as EC and then on the basis of seniority a CEC.
Justice Rastogi observed that there should be a transparent mechanism in the appointment of the EC, and the mechanism should be such that people should not question it.
He added that, “you just appointed someone as EC 2 days ago… It should be fresh in memory. Show us (the mechanism applied in the appointment)”.
At this juncture, the AG replied: “So are we saying that there is no confidence in the Council of Ministers?” to which Justice Rastogi said, “no, we are saying for our satisfaction show us the mechanism you adopted in the appointment two days ago”.
The AG replied that he has already shown how a convention is followed, the process involved in the appointment, and appointments are made on the basis of seniority, and on the aspect of recent EC appointment, he added that the office was vacant since May.
“It is not a pick and choose system at alla there is a process,” said the AG.
The bench said it understands that CEC is appointed from amongst the ECs, but then there is no basis, and why is the Centre only confined to civil servants?
The AG said that is a completely different debate, and can we bring in a national pool of candidates, that is a larger debate.
He further added that there is also an in-built guarantee in the system, whenever the President is not satisfied with the suggestion then he can take an action. The hearing in the matter will continue after lunch.
The top court is hearing a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of the CEC.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court said the CEC heads an institution, though with his truncated tenure, he cannot do anything substantial and added that “silences of the Constitution” is being exploited by all and expressed concern at the absence of a law governing the appointments of ECs and CEC.
Last week, the Centre opposed petitions seeking a collegium-like system for the selection of CECs and ECs.
The apex court in October 2018, referred a PIL seeking a collegium-like system for the selection of CECs and ECs to a five-judge Constitution bench.
J-K: Three siblings jump from bridge as train approaches, 1 killed
Jammu, Nov 23 (PTI) An 11-year-old girl was killed and her two siblings injured after they allegedly jumped from a railway bridge here on Wednesday when they saw a train approaching, an official said.
While Hadia Fatima died in the accident, her brother Mohiuddin (12) and sister Alia (six) sustained injuries, he said.
The three siblings were on their way to school in the Bajalta area when the incident occurred, he said, adding it is possible that the children panicked and jumped off the bridge after noticing a train approaching.
The injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment, the official said.