BANDIPORA, Nov 2: A man went missing after a boat capsized in Wular Lake in Banyari village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday.
Quoting an official, that three persons drowned in Wular Lake after their boat capsized in Banyari village today morning.
He said that two persons were rescued immediately, while the third one was still untraced. “A rescue operation was launched to trace him,” he said.
The official identified the missing person as Javed Ahmed. (KNO)
Man missing after boat capsizes in Wular Lake in Bandipora
South Korea issues air raid alert after North Korea fires short-range missiles
Seoul on Wednesday issued an air raid alert after North Korea fired short-range missiles that landed near South Korean waters for the first time.
The Yonhap News Agency in South Korea quoted an official on the island saying that employees took shelter in a basement when the air raid warning for Ulleung was broadcast on national television. President Yoon Suk-yeol convened a meeting of the National Security Council and condemned the “unprecedented” launches, which took place amid a period of national mourning for the 156 people killed in the Itaewon crowd crush at the weekend.
Sending a missile south of the NLL was “tantamount to territorial intrusion,” he was quoted as saying in a statement following the NSC meeting.
The missile launch by North Korea is followed by Pyongyang’s warning over ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the United States, reported Al Jazeera.
Denouncing North Korea’s launch of its first missile into an area close to the South’s territorial waters since the peninsula’s division more than seven decades ago, South Korea’s military called it an “intolerable” act, reported Yonhap News Agency.
The missile, one of at least 10 missiles fired on Wednesday morning, was detected by South Korea’s military and the Japanese coast guard and landed less than 60km (37 miles) off South Korea’s coast.
The missile was one of a number of short-range missiles launched from the area around Wonsan on North Korea’s eastern coast at about 8.51 am (23:51 GMT), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and an air raid warning for the island of Ulleung was issued shortly afterwards, reported Al Jazeera.
The JCS said at least one of the missiles landed 26km (16 miles) south of the Northern Limit Line, which serves as an unofficial maritime border between the two Koreas; the first time that has happened since the peninsula was divided.
The launch was “very unusual and absolutely unacceptable,” the JCS said, adding that it would respond “decisively”.
The missile landed 57km (35 miles) from the South Korean city of Sokcho on the east coast, and 167km (104 miles) from Ulleung, reported Al Jazeera.
North Korea has carried out an unprecedented number of weapons tests this year – now more than double the launch record set in 2019 – and there are expectations it may soon resume nuclear testing.
Japan said it had detected two suspected ballistic missiles launched from the North, one flying east and the other southeast.
“North Korea has repeatedly been launching missiles at an unprecedented rate, in new ways that we have not seen before,” Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
“These actions threaten the peace and stability of Japan, the wider region, as well as the broader international community, and are utterly unacceptable.”
Japan has lodged a protest against the launches via diplomatic channels in Beijing, he added.
Pyongyang argues its weapons are necessary for ‘self-defence’ and that recent tests are a warning to Washington and Seoul over joint military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal, reported Al Jazeera.
This week’s exercises, dubbed Vigilant Storm, began on Monday and are some of the two allies’ largest, involving about 240 warplanes from both sides staging mock attacks 24 hours a day.
The White House says such drills are part of the US’s routine training schedule with South Korea.
“We reject the notion that they serve as any sort of provocation. We have made clear that we have no hostile intent towards the DPRK and call on them to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy,” White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said on Tuesday, using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Traffic movement resumes on Srinagar-Leh highway
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: The traffic movement on Srinagar-Leh highway, which was suspended on Tuesday after fresh snowfall near Zoji La, was restored on Wednesday morning.
Quoting an official, that the road was opened for two-way traffic this morning.
Jammu and Kashmir traffic police on its official Twitter handle also informed that traffic on the highway has been restored.
“Traffic plying on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Mughal road and SSG(Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri) road through for vehicular movement,” the police said in the tweet. (Agencies)
GOC Lt Gen Manjinder Singh inaugurates 5 days Chenab Valley Youth Festival ‘SANGAM-2022 at Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah: With an aim to inculcate sense of belonging for the nation and promote communal harmony among youth beside to boost adventure tourism in Chenab region, Indian Army’s 4 Rashtriya Rifles in collaboration with Bhadarwah Campus organising 5 day’s Chenab Valley Youth Festival ‘SANGAM-2022’ at Bhadarwah, which commences on Monday.
The 5 days mega youth festival SANGAM-2022 was inaugurated by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM, Corps Commander, 16 Corps, who was the chief guest, in presence of Maj Gen Ajay Kumar, GOC, CIF (D), CO 4RR Col Rajat Parmar, Prof Rahul Gupta Rector Bhadarwah Campus by lighting of traditional lamps and releasing pigeons.
The festival with theme of ‘National Integration and Harmony’, in which 1200 students from 34 Colleges, universities and satellite Campuses are participating is being organised at Bhadarwah Campus of Jammu University.
ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary, DFO Bhadarwah Chander Shekhar, ERO Bhadarwah Campus Arif Khateeb, SDPO Bhadarwah Meer Gafoor, SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Singh, officials of Civil Administration, Police Department, CRPF, Prominent Citizens of Bhadarwah, Principals and Teachers of Colleges/Schools were also present on the occasion.
Students present cultural items depicting culture and tradition of Chenab Valley, beside a skit on Army, depicting their determination for the nation on the opening Ceremony of the event.
GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen Manjinder Singh while lauding the role of Army and Bhadarwah Campus said that it's a iconic festival and involve our youths in a positive activity. He congratulated the Army and Bhadarwah Campus for resuming this colourful bonanza.
“The cultural programme presented by the students depicted mutual harmony and brotherhood which is an integral part of the culture of Chenab region,” he said adding that the people of this region especially youths should rise above the communal politics and secure a bright future for themselves and for this region.“Youth festival is an appropriate platform to showcase talent. We hope the festival is successful and every year we can increase the stature and scale of the programme. The university has put in all efforts to make the programme successful,” Singh added.
He while emphasising on youth of this region said that the youths of the Chenab valley should play a vital role in making this region a hub of higher learning.
Rector Bhadarwah Campus Prof. Rahul Gupta in his welcome address congratulated the youth for resuming of SANGAM-2022.
He also highlighted the role of youth in developing the Nation and importance of Army in one’s life. 
‘SANGAM’ is the iconic youth festival of Jammu and Kashmir and this used to be the most important and eagerly awaited event of the annual calender of Jammu University. But due to unfavourable circumstances which emerged due to pandemic it remained suspended for three years.
The youth festival provides a suitable platform for the youth to showcase their talent across domains of sports, culture and fine arts with an aim of spreading the message of peace & communal harmony.
The participants will also get an opportunity to try their hands at various adventure activities like Paragliding, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, Rappling & Zip Lining.
This unique festival also provides students with an opportunity to interact with one another and learn good values and experience the local cultural heritage.
A total of 40 events (outdoor and indoor activities) including Debate, Sketching, Clay Modelling, Photography, Athletics, Chess, Badminton for girls, Quiz,Painting, Marathon, Volleyball and Cricket etc will be conducted during the 5 days of Youth Festival. The traditional folk dance and other cultural programs performed by students mesmerised the audience with their talent. An attractive ‘Chho Dance’ was performed by Adivasi soldiers from army. The enthusiasm and motivation of the participating students was very encouraging.
Such cultural and sporting events are a great media towards aligning the perception of youth towards a positive end and portray an overall image of the Indian Army as a harbinger of peace.
Government rolls out services to ease biz activities in J&K
Jammu, November 2
To attract investments and also give a boost to the industrial sector, the J&K government on Tuesday rolled out several services with designated officials to ensure the processing in stipulated time.
The step is a part of ease of doing business in J&K.
Most of the services rolled out by the government have general managers of district industries centres (DIC) as the designated officers for providing services and the Director of Industries and Commerce as the first appellate authority while the Administrative Secretary of the same department as the second appellate authority.
A senior official said the measure would also help check corruption as it would be the responsibility of the designated officers to provide the required service in stipulated time period after a person applies for the same.
The services under the Directorate of Industries and Commerce include assessment of raw material and finished goods, prior permission for substantial expansion, additional line of activity, change in location, merger of units, subsidies on diesel generator and installation of pollution control devices among others.
While the J&K government claims that it has received investment proposals worth over Rs 51,000 crore since last year, the Opposition has often criticised the administration for “doing little” for the industry and business.
For small vendors, the government has also extended certification of verification of weights and measures under these services. The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs will also register manufacturers, packers and importers under Packaged Commodities Rules within 30 days.
The change of land use that was earlier a hectic exercise will now be completed within 30 days with the district collector as the designated officer and divisional commissioner and financial commissioner (revenue) as first and second appellate authorities.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department will register dealers under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001 within 60 days. A fresh licence for wood-based industrial units will be issued within 120 days under the new scheme.
As per the order, a no objection certificate (NOC) for obtaining commercial water connection can be availed in 30 days.
Light rain, snow likely at isolated places in J&K: MeT
JAMMU, Nov 2: The Meteorological department here predicted light rain and snow at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Light rain/snow at isolated places is likely to occur in J&K during the next 24 hours,” an official of the MeT department said on Wednesday.
The weather was mainly cloudy in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
Jammu had 15.3, Katra 15.5, Batote 9, Banihal 7.2 and Bhaderwah 5.3 as the minimum temperature.
Srinagar had 5, Pahalgam 0.2 and Gulmarg minus 1.0 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh region had minus 3.5, Kargil minus 3.2 and Leh minus 2.6 as the minimum temperature. (AGENCIES)
National Unity Day Observed at GCOE, Jammu
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day was observed in the Government College Of Education Jammu. NSS volunteers along with other students of GCOE organized “Run For Unity” to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Home Minister and the ‘Iron Man of India’, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. This unity run not only carried the message of “Unity in Diversity” but also permeated the youth with values assimilated by the knowledge and respect about the country’s diverse legacy. Near about 200 hundred students along with teaching and non-teaching staff of the college enthusiastically participated in it. The event started in the College with an address by Principal Prof Aekta Gupta. In her short speech, she said that the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel will provide all of us an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country. She appealed to the volunteers to participate enthusiastically in the run in large numbers to pay tribute to our real national hero. Pledge was also administered by all the participants to protect the integrity of India. After the pledge, the unity march proceeded from the college and proceeded through the main road before reaching back to College.
Ramandeep Kralia, Physical Director of the college appreciated the efforts of the students and said that such events are organized to show unity and solidarity among the people of different religions and arouse sentiments of national integration and brotherhood among them. Among others were present Prof.Anju Bala,Dr Jyoti Parihar,Prof.Radhika Mahajan,Dr.Rajinder Kour,Prof.Anuradha Choudhary, Prof.Shalini Rana Dr.Deep Bangotra,Dr.Shalini Sharma,Prof.Vinay Lata and Dr.Anuradha Seth actively participated
The program was organized by Dr. Shubhra Jamwal, NSS PO, along with organizing committee members including Prof Neeraj Verma, Prof Seema Kumari, Prof Sarita Dogra, and Prof Shapia Shameem Bhatti. In their address, they remembered Sardar Patel’s legacy and commended his tenuous efforts in integrating over 565 princely states into the Union of India with his astute administrative abilities and iron will. They reiterated that the young citizens and the staff of the College must ensure that the unity of the nation remains intact at all costs.
SIA investigated 450 cases with 65% disposal rate: DGP
Jammu Tawi, Nov 02: The first Raising Day of State
Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir
Police was celebrated on Tuesday at Miran Sahib,
Jammu. Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh
was the chief guest and Spl. DG CID J&K R R Swain
was the guest of honour on the occasion.
The DGP congratulated Spl DGP CID and all the officers
and Jawans of SIA on completion of an eventful first
year. Normally somebody celebrating its first birthday
would be walking with difficulties but this wing is rather
running that shows the energy and enthusiasm of the
officers and the leader of the SIA, the DGP said.
“A year ago we were having NIA as National
Investigation agency to supplement the investigation
process in terror related cases in Jammu and Kashmir
but today it is a pleasure to say that we have SIA,” he
said, adding that it is itself an achievement that this wing
has been able to earn name in very short period of time.
He said that during its first year of working, the SIA has
investigated 450 cases of special nature with the overall
disposal rate of 65% for which he complimented all the
officers of the unit. He said that in addition to this J&K
Police has created new investigation units at district
level called SIUs (Special Investigation Units) and added
that these units too would complement and supplement
the investigation process of UAPA cases.
In his address, the Spl DG CID R.R Swain thanked the
DGP J&K for gracing the event. He complemented the
enthusiasm and energy of the SIA teams who he said
are doing excellent job with extreme dedication &
professionalism.
He said that the proposal of highlighting and underlining
the good work of SIA is an initiative to remind ourselves
about our responsibilities and reach to the wider family
of J&K Police to boost the morale and energy of the
organization.
He said that the spirit behind the entire exercise was to
underline that the extreme hardwork, valour, courage
and the raw energy which J&K Police displayed over the
last 30 years where the military ability of enemy has
been degraded.
Spl DGP Crime J&K A K Choudhary, ADG Security J&K
Dr SD Singh Jamwal, ADGP Jammu Zone Mukesh
Singh, ADG Railways Sunil Kumar, ADG (Coord) PHQ
Danesh Rana, Director SKPAU Garib Dass, Director
ACB Anand Jain, IGP BSF Jammu D K Boora,, IGP
Hqrs PHQ BS Tuti, IGP CID J&K M N Tiwari, IGP Traffic
Vikramjeet Singh, DIG JSK Vivek Gupta, DIG BSF S P
S Sandhu, DPT Shridhar Patil, SO to IGP Tech Sargun
Shukla, AIGs of PHQ, SSPs, Senior Prosecution officers
and other gazetted and Non-gazetted officers of different
wings, units, and CID attended the function.
President Murmu to visit 3 NE states from today
President Droupadi Murmu is set to undertake a four-day visit to three northeastern states — Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim — from Wednesday.
Officials in Kohima revealed that on her arrival, the Nagaland government would accord her a civic reception at Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima on Wednesday.
Murmu will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects related to education and infrastructure in the northeastern state. The state government has invited Presidents and other leaders of the 22 tribal organisations to arrive at the civic reception wearing their traditional shawls.
On the next day, Murmu would pay her respects at the Kohima War Cemetery and visit Kigwema village where she would hold conversation with the village council members and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
On the same day, she would reach Mizoram to attend the 17th convocation of the Mizoram University at Aizawl and launch various education-related projects.
In the evening, the President would attend the civic reception to be hosted by the state government in her honour at the Raj Bhavan.
On November 4, Murmu is scheduled to address the members of the Assembly.
On the same day, she would go to Gangtok and be part of a civic reception to be hosted by the Sikkim government and launch and lay the foundation stones for various projects of the Central and state governments.
On November 5, the President, before returning to Delhi, would interact with women achievers and members of SHGs at Tathagatha Tsal, Ravongla.
The President, in her maiden visit to the northeastern region last month, visited Tripura (October 12-13) and Assam (October 13-14) and laid foundation stones and inaugurated a slew of projects.
COVID-19: India records 1,190 fresh cases
New Delhi, Nov 2: With 1,190 fresh cases, India’s COVID-19 tally has gone up to 4,46,55,828, while the number of active cases of the infection has declined to 16,243, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.
The death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 5,30,452 with 1,375 more fatalities, including 1,369 deaths reconciled by Punjab and two reconciled by Kerala, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
The active cases account for 0.04 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has gone up to 98.78 per cent, according to the ministry’s website.
A decrease of 1,375 cases was recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has climbed to 4,41,09,133, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent, the ministry said.
According to the ministry’s website, 219.66 crore doses of Covid vaccines have so far been administered to beneficiaries across the country.
India’s Covid tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 2020, 40 lakh on September 5, 2020 and 50 lakh on September 16, 2020.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 2020, 70 lakh on October 11, 2020, 80 lakh on October 29, 2020, 90 lakh on November 20, 2020 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4, 2021, three crore cases on June 23, 2021 and four crore cases on January 25 this year.
Of the four deaths reported in a span of 24 hours, one each was recorded in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Rajasthan. (Agencies)