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)
Drone-dropped arms, ammo, cash recovered in Samba: Police
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.
TADA court issues fresh warrant against JKLF chief Yasin Malik
The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court in Jammu on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 issued a fresh production warrant against JKLF chief Yasin Malik, as he again refused to cross examine the witnesses virtually in a case related to the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) officials in 1990 in Srinagar. Meanwhile, the court has decided to hear the case again on December 22, 2022.
“The court issued a fresh production warrant (against Malik). However, the CBI has already challenged the earlier (such) order before the Supreme Court (SC) because there are Ministry of Home Affairs directions and certain basis on which he (Malik) cannot be produced here,” CBI lawyer Monika Kohli.
Amit Kapoor Rising Star of Business World from J&K
Born & brought up in Poonch district of Jammu Kashmir Amit Kapoor, a young businessman is an inspiration for many who aspire to be Entrepreneur despite of difficult circumstances and no financial backup.
Amit was always amazed by the business world and always wanted to do something big for the society and he realised that by entering the Startup ecosystem he can contribute in a big way to Society. He started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 15 and was always curious to do experiments to have greater learnings in life.
Amit’s Journey from Rags to Riches is a rollercoaster ride, He initially experimented with various business ideas but nothing worked and when he was going through his bad phase of life he started working as a waiter in a restaurant and he even tried door to door marketing to earn bread and butter to sustain his life. In his initial years of struggle he even didn’t had money for his daily expenses, he remembers he used to travel from Bahu Plaza ( his workplace) to Tallab Tillo( His Home) by food as he couldn’t afford fair of the Matador. He added he had to choose at that time whether to have food or to go home by food as he was severely suffering from financial crunches.
When nothing worked here in Jammu, He decided to shift to some other city for work he was fortunate that he got a job of a manager in a hotel but that hotel was also suffering financial crunches, So he joined there as Manager but he used to do House Keeping work in order to maintain his daily expense and to have Job Stability.
But Amit Kapoor was having full faith on himself and was dedicated, determined and focused on his goals. He believed it strongly that one day destiny will support him, His entry in the field of Salon and Spa was a super hit, Although he faced some issues but later things started turning in his favour.
Now he’s running multiple ventures and his business is spread across J&K and in other parts of Country.
He’s the Managing Director of Bracing Vibes Private Limited and is running multiple ventures which includes Ganga Spa,
Personal Care Point,
La Bracing Vibes,
Studio 11 Pro Academy,
MNK Education and Social Welfare Trust and
Kapoor Production house.
All his ventures are growing exponentially and Amit is turning out to be the inspiration for many youngsters in Jammu & Kashmir.
Amit believes we need more job creators than job seekers and is continuously working to create and flourishing startup ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.
He’s advocating youth to choose entrepreneurship as a career and is hand holding many youngsters to open up their ventures.
Amit is known among his friends for his stable, amiable and down to earth nature. He’s actively involved in the philanthropic activities and is continuously helping the downtrodden masses of the society and he helped number of people including his staff in Covid-19 Pandemic. He has also extended financial assistance to many poor families for the marriage of their daughter.
Amit has a vision of creating Jammu & Kashmir a startup hub, where innovation will bring comfort, ease and prosperity to the lives of people in J&K.
DM & SSP Doda conducts surprise checking of vehicles on NH244
Ask authorities to ensure Speed Governors & GPS on every commercial vehicle
By King RJ
Doda, November 23; Taking cognizance of the complaints received from the general public, recent unfortunate road accidents and ensuing winter and icy roads in the winter, DM Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan along with SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom and ARTO Doda Kuldeep Singh checked randomly vehicles on NH 244 (Btote Doda Kishtwar highway).
Vehicles were checked for updated and valid papers and Driving licences. The commercial vehicles were checked for having installed Speed Governors and GPS as mandated under norms. DM and SSP conducted counselling of drivers enroute and sensitised them about safe speed and road safety. They also took stock of nuisance of wrong parking, and roadside encroachments.
During the visit, the DM directed the authorities to take strict action against the traffic violators, wrong parking and roadside encroachments. He also directed the authorities to ensure 100% installation of Speed Governors and GPS on commercial vehicles.
The DM directed the Traffic Police, ARTO, Police, and Revenue authorities to work in close coordination and act tough against traffic rules violators, who cause a lot of inconvenience to common people. He directed the officers to devise an effective mechanism for better traffic regulation especially during winter when most of our roads become slippery and icy.
The DM appealed stakeholders to use civic sense and driving sense for imperative and better traffic management.
Meta received 55,497 requests for user data from Indian government
India with 55,497 requests was once again second only to the US in terms of asking Meta to provide user data in the first half of this year, and the social network restricted access in India to 597 items in response to directions from the IT Ministry in the reporting period.
In the second half of 2021, India had made 50,382 requests to Meta for user data.
According to Meta, the access to 597 items was restricted for violating Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, including content against security of the state and public order.
Meta also restricted six items in response to directions from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for violating Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
“We restricted access in India to 23 items reported by the Election Commission of India relating to electoral complaints under the Indian Penal Code, Representation of the People Act, including spreading candidate misinformation and promoting sectarian violence,” Meta said in its latest transparency report.
Of these, 19 items were restricted only temporarily (during the designated blackout period) in the country.
“We also restricted access to 71 items due to other court orders, to 13 items for IP infringement, and to two items in response to private reports of defamation,” said the company.
As the Centre notified amendments in new IT Rules, 2021 to put more obligations on social media platforms, Meta took down over 30.7 million pieces of bad content across 13 policies for Facebook and over 3 million pieces of such content across 12 policies for Instagram in India in September.
According to Meta, during the first six months of 2022, global government requests for user data increased 10.5 per cent from 214,777 to 237,414.
Of the total volume, the US continues to submit the largest number of requests, followed by India, Germany, Brazil, France and the UK.
“In the US, we received 69,363 requests, which was 15.6 per cent more than the total we received in the second half of 2021,” said Meta.
During this reporting period, the volume of content restrictions based on local law increased globally 75 per cent from 50,959 in the second half of 2021 to 89,368 in the first half of 2022.
“In the first half of 2022, we identified 64 disruptions of Facebook services in 15 countries, compared to 38 disruptions in 12 countries in the second half of 2021,” Meta said.