Page 85 - Jammu And Kashmir

Eight absconding terrorists arrested during special drive in Jammu

Eight absconding terrorists have been arrested here during a special drive by the State Investigation Agency and the Criminal Investigation Department that have started looking for killers and terrorist associates hiding by blending in the society, a police official said on Thursday. Assisted by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inputs, State Investigation Agency (SIA) detectives working quietly for months have apprehended the eight terrorists wanted in Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act cases after about three decades, the official said. In pursuance of its larger objective and the mandate of achieving "zero terrorism" in Jammu and Kashmir, SIA has initiated a special drive to trace and produce before the court concerned all absconders in terrorism-related cases. The official said of the total 734 absconders, including 417 in Kashmir and 317 in Jammu, wanted in 327 TADA and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) cases, SIA has so far verified and identified

Jammu-Kashmir elections can take place at any time now: Centre tells SC

Article 370 hearing: Centre tells SC polls in J-K can take place at any time, decision depends on Election Commission, state poll panel.

J&K integration not one of a kind, SC cites examples of other states

This was while on the twelfth day of hearing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir

SC wants Centre to tell when electoral democracy will be restored in J&K

The five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, asked the Centre for the first time on Tuesday to specify a time frame for restoration of electoral democracy in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the present arrangement "has to come to an end". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, told the bench the union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a permanent thing and that the government will make an elaborate statement on the vexatious political issue in the court on August 31. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandradhud, which was hearing Mehta's submissions defending the Centre's decision to do away with the special status of the former state and its reorganisation, said, Democracy is important, although we agree that in view of the national security scenario, reorganisation of the state can be done. The court said lack of electoral democracy cannot be ...

Subsidised meal initiative at Jammu's GMC hospital garners huge response

A subsidised meal initiative -- 'Thali for Rs 10' -- introduced by a non-profit organisation at the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital here has drawn a huge response from patients' families with nearly 400 people availing the facility on the first day alone. Sewa Bharti, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) renowned in the region for supporting vulnerable communities, introduced the 'Apna Bhojnalaya' initiative at the hospital here on Monday. This step seeks to provide affordable and nourishing meals priced at just Rs 10 to the caregivers of patients visiting Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Sumit Mahajan, one of the managers of the food point, told PTI. "There was a huge response on the first day itself with over 390 persons opting for the meal", Mahajan said. "We have kept a target of 400 for today. Keeping in view the increasing demand, we have added more logistical support to the food point," he added. One can purchase breakfast, lunch and dinner thalis at 'A

Union Territory status of J-K is not permanent thing: Centre tells SC

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a permanent thing and that it will make an elaborate statement on the vexatious political issue in the court on August 31. The central government's response was conveyed to the court by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, after a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, hearing the pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370, asked it to set a specific time frame for restoration of electoral democracy in the erstwhile state. "The union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a permanent thing. So far as Ladakh is concerned, its UT status is going to remain for some time," Mehta said. The top government law officer said he will make an elaborate statement on the future of the union territory status of J-K and Ladakh before the bench, which also comprises Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant, on August 31. The bench,

Article 35A took away fundamental rights of non-residents of J&K, says CJI

Article 35A, which was scrapped in August 2019, allowed the legislature of the erstwhile state to define "permanent residents" and provide them with special rights and privileges

Grateful to see this beautiful place: Miss World on her Kashmir visit

Reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska, who loves to explore India and its culture, shared how the beauty of Kashmir mesmerised her

Defence minister likely to attend North Tech Symposium in Jammu next month

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend the North Tech Symposium here next month, officials said on Sunday. More than 150 vendors are expected to showcase their military equipment in the three-day event starting September 11. The defence ministry is likely to undertake a two-day tour of the Jammu region from September 12 to inaugurate a bridge over river Devak in Samba district besides 74 other projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), including airstrips and tunnels, along the northern and western borders. Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the symposium to be held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu is a technology showcase event that provides an efficacious platform for army industry participation with an intent to interface directly with the end user and create awareness about contemporary technologies and equipment that can be exploited to meet operational and logistic requirements of the army's northern command. The event also ...

Three dead, one injured after dumper falls into gorge in J-K's Udhampur

Meanwhile, the injured is trapped under the vehicle and a rescue operation is on

J-K Lt Guv, political parties congratulate Isro on Chandrayaan-3's landing

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political leaders on Wednesday congratulated ISRO scientists on Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the Moon, which put India in a group of select nations that have mastered the technology of soft-landing on the lunar surface. The feat has been achieved by the US, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Celebrations by tourists erupted near the historic 'Ghanta Ghar' (Clock Tower) in the Lal Chowk city centre as soon as the spacecraft made the soft landing. They were watching its live telecast. Jammu city also witnessed celebrations by political parties and other organisations on the occasion. Led by its Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina, BJP workers burst firecrackers and distributed sweets among people. "India is on the moon! Heartiest Congratulations to team @ISRO for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Absolutely momentous achievement and important milestone in the development of India's space programme

J-K to get Rs 80,000 cr investments for industrial ecosystem: L-G Sinha

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir will get investments to the tune of Rs 80,000 crore in the near future as the administration is keen to establish an industrial ecosystem that will help the local youth achieve their dreams. "The kind of enthusiasm I see and the kind of proposals we are getting, I am sure that, in the coming days, we will get investments of Rs 75,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore. It will provide employment to five lakh people," Sinha said after laying the foundation stone of a private hospital and medical college here. Sinha said over the past two years, the Union Territory on an average has got six proposals per day for setting up industrial units. "If I take average of two years, we have been receiving proposals for setting up six industrial units every day," he added. Sinha said the hopsital and medical college project, which is estimated to come up at a cost of Rs 559 crore, was second such project in the valley after Milli Trust ...

SC dismisses plea seeking declaration that abrogation of Art 370 valid

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a declaration that abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, was constitutionally valid. Terming the plea as "misconceived", a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the issue of constitutional validity of abrogation of Article 370 is already pending before a constitution bench of the apex court. "What kind of a petition is this? You are now seeking a declaration by this court that the abrogation of Article 370 is valid. Why should we issue that declaration on your petition? Who has set your client up?" the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked the counsel appearing for the petitioner. The bench noted that the petitioner has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a declaration to the effect that abrogation of Article 370 (1) of the Constitution and the deletion of Article 35-A were constitutional

Encounter between security forces and terrorists underway in J&K's Pulwama

An encounter between security forces and terrorists that broke out on Sunday evening in the Larrow-Parigam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district is still underway, police said on Monday.Early morning visuals from the spot today show vehicles of the security forces deployed at the scene.Kashmir Zone Police further said that police and security forces are on duty.However, there were no reports of any casualty on either side.Earlier yesterday, the Kashmir Zone police said on 'X' (formerly Twitter), "An encounter has started in the Larrow- Parigam area of Pulwama.Police and security forces are on the job. Details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police said.More details are awaited.

Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in J-K's Pulwama

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said. "Encounter has started in Larrow-Parigam area of #Pulwama. Police & Security Forces are on the job. Details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police said on X (formerly Twitter). There were no reports of any casualty on either side.

Sustainable development top priority of J-K admin, says L-G Sinha

Sustainable development and environment conservation is the top priority of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, which is making "honest efforts" to address the challenges of climate change, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday. Sinha was speaking at the launch of the Green Jammu and Kashmir Drive 2023-24 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) here. He informed that while four crore saplings were planted in the past three years, another 1.75 crore will be planted this year. "Sustainable development and environment conservation is our priority. Protection of natural resources is in the DNA of our society, culture. With the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, we are making honest efforts to address the challenges of climate change," he said. The drive has become a major contributor to increasing the Union Territory's green cover, strengthening the ecology and building a healthier society, Sinha said. "In the past three years, we have been able to plant more th

Amarnath yatra to be temporarily suspended from Aug 23 for restoration

The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will remain temporarily suspended from August 23 in view of reduced pilgrim flow and track restoration works, an official spokesman said on Sunday. However, the Chari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, shall proceed via the traditional Pahalgam route marking the culmination of the yatra on August 31, the spokesman said. Over 4.4 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the shrine since the commencement of the 62-day yatra from the twin tracks traditional 48-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district on July 1. Quoting Shrine Board authorities, the spokesman said, "Due to considerable reduction in the flow of pilgrims and the urgent repairs and maintenance of the yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), movement of pilgrims on both the tracks leading to the holy cave is not advisable". Hence, the yatra .

J-K admin selectively terminating Kashmiri employees from service: Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday slammed the Jammu and Kashmir administration for selectively terminating Kashmiri employees from service by labelling them as "terrorist sympathisers". Mehbooba's reaction comes a day after the Jammu and Kashmir Bank sacked its chief manager Sajad Ahmad Bazaz for allegedly being a "threat to the security of the state". In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the former chief minister wrote, "Selectively terminating Kashmiri employees by wrongfully dubbing them as terrorist sympathisers & pro ISI has been normalised." "The accused isn't given a chance to prove his innocence with the government acting as judge & jury. This hooliganism is meant to frighten Kashmiris into submission," she added. In an order on Saturday, the managing director of the bank stated that "after considering the facts and circumstances of the case contained in the report received from credible agencies that the activities of Mr Sajad Ahmad Bazaz...posted at ...

All decks cleared for new medical college in J&K after L-G meeting

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired the 71st meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in Reasi district, with the board according in-principle approval for setting up a medical college. The meeting was attended by members of the board, the Lt Governor's Principal Secretary Mandeep Kumar Bhandari and SMVDSB Chief Executive Officer Anshul Garg, an official spokesman said. He said the board accorded in-principle approval for the establishment of a 50-bed medical college at Kakryal at an approximate cost of Rs 350-450 crore. "The board concurred with the projected need for expansion of the operational base of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (SMVDNSH) to cater to a larger number of patients requiring specialized treatment. After extensive deliberations, the board accorded in-principle approval to addition of 200 to 220 beds to the existing capacity of the hospital at an approximate cost of Rs 120 crore," the ..

More than 300 films, shows shot in J-K after launch of new film policy: L-G

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said over 300 movies and serials have been shot here after the administration launched the new film policy. Talking to reporters after inaugurating the first-day shoot of upcoming TV serial "Pashmina", Sinha said the union territory is re-emerging as a favourite destination for film shootings. Two years ago, a new film policy was launched by the J-K administration after consultations with all stakeholders. Now, we are seeing that Jammu and Kashmir is re-emerging as a favourite destination for film shootings, Sinha told reporters. The LG said the film-related activities in the union territory will help in generating more employment opportunities for the youth. "I feel that the era when Hollywood or Bollywood films were shot here till the '80s, is returning. More than 300 films have been shot here. Today, SAB TV has started the serial Pashmina' from here and I wish them the best. "I think it will provide employment ...