The commission held its first meeting on Thursday to seek suggestion/views on the process of delimitation in respect of the union territory.
Tag: Jammu and Kashmir
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Pakistan violates ceasefire along IB in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua
By PTI
JAMMU: Pakistani Rangers opened fire at forward posts and villages along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said on Sunday.The firing from across the border targeting Border Outpost Bobiya area of Hiranagar sector started around 10:25 pm on Saturday ,drawing strong retaliation from the Border Security Force (BSF), the officials said.
They said the cross-border firing between the two sides continued till 4:30 am but there was no report of any damage on the Indian side.
The latest ceasefire violation by Pakistan broke several days of lull in the cross-border firing in the sector and forced the border residents to spend the night in underground bunkers, the officials said.
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Militant hideout unearthed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Security forces on Sunday busted a militant hideout and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.The cache was recovered after the arrest of the conspirator of the attack on a popular restaurant owner’s son in the city here, a police official said.
A hideout was busted in forest area of Anantnag by police and security forces after the arrest of conspirator of Krishna Dhaba attack, the official said.
He said arms and ammunition, including three AK 56 rifles, two Chinese pistols, two grenades, telescope, AK and pistol magazines, and other incriminating material were recovered from the hideout.
Police on Friday arrested three persons involved in the Wednesday’s attack on the son of the owner of the popular eatery Krishna Dhaba in Durganag area of the city here.
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Terrorist groups, their handlers trying to shift focus from Kashmir valley to Jammu: Jitendra Singh
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Terrorist groups and their handlers were trying to shift the focus from Kashmir valley to the Jammu region, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.He called for the “highest level of vigil” on the part of the security forces and alertness among the general public in the wake of these developments.
This and other issues were discussed during a meeting between Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh and the minister during their meeting here, officials said.
The police chief also briefed the minister about the security situation in the Union Territory.
Jitendra Singh said that the security forces had earned all-round appreciation for the way they had thwarted some major terror incidents in Jammu recently.
He, however, noted the “recent phenomenon” of terrorist groups and their handlers trying to shift the focus from Kashmir valley to the Jammu region including the Jammu city, the officials said.
This calls for the highest level of vigil on the part of the security forces and at the same time, alertness and awareness among the general public, Singh said.
The Minister of State for Personnel conveyed his appreciation for some of the major recent breakthroughs and achievements of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the par-military forces.
At the same time, he expressed concern over the selective terrorist attacks like the one on the son of the owner of popular Krishna Dhaba in Srinagar.
The DGP informed the minister that within 24 hours all the three culprits, including the shooter involved in the attack on the Krishna Dhaba proprietor, have been nabbed.
Aakash Mehra, the son of the Dhaba owner, was shot at from a close range and critically wounded on Wednesday evening.
The Muslim Janbaz Force, a terror outfit that was active in the early 1990s, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Dilbagh Singh thanked the minister for his support in expediting at the Centre the process of the promotion of IPS officers of J-K.
He also sought the minister’s intervention for ensuring early and expeditious completion of the induction of officers of the Jammu Kashmir Police Service (JKPS) into the IPS.
Jitendra Singh assured the DGP of the Centre’s full cooperation in carrying out timely empanelments and induction.
Unfortunately, he said, the delay had happened on account of irregular cadre reviews done by the erstwhile state government of Jammu & Kashmir.
Singh recalled that even the induction of Jammu & Kashmir Administration Service (KAS) officers into IAS as well as the increase in the number of vacancies could not take place in time even though he, as well as the Union Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), had in the past repeatedly written letters to the then state government.
The minister regretted that in some cases even the toppers in civil services selection hailing from Jammu and Kashmir could not get their home state or Union Territory cadre because of the absence of vacancies.
He expressed confidence that under the Lieutenant Governor’s rule, it would be possible to address all these issues which had accumulated during the earlier governments.
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Two militant associates of LeT arrested in Jammu and Kashmir
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Security forces have arrested two militant associates of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit and recovered incriminating materials from their possession in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday.Acting on specific inputs, security forces established a checkpoint near Papachan-Bandipora Bridge and apprehended two militant associates linked with the proscribed outfit LeT on Friday, a police official said.
He identified them as Abid Waza and Bashir Ahmad Gojer, both residents of Bandipora in north Kashmir.
The official said as per the police records, they were involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the active militants in the area.
They were tasked by their handlers to carry out a grenade attack on security forces in Bandipora, he said.
Incriminating materials, including two live hand grenades were recovered from their possession and all the recovered material was taken into case records for further investigation, the official said.
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Reprehensible, savage, act of cowardice: J&K leaders condemn killing of cops by terrorist
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir political leaders, including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the killing of two unarmed policemen by a terrorist in an upmarket Srinagar area on Friday.Abdullah, who is also the National Conference vice president, said the attack was “reprehensible” as the two policemen were unarmed and shot from behind.
“I condemn this act of militant violence & send my condolences to the families of these brave men,” he tweeted.
“What makes this attack even more reprehensible is that SgCT Mohammad Yousuf of Zurhama and Ct Suhail Ahmad of Logripora were unarmed & shot in the back.
Senseless & cowardly at the same time,” he added.
PDP president Mehbooba condemned the attack saying the cycle of violence only begets misery.
“Condemn the killing of two policemen in the Baghat attack.
My heart goes out to their families & loved ones. This cycle of violence serves no cause & begets only misery,” she tweeted.
People’s Conference led by Sajad Lone also condemned the killing of the policemen.
“We strongly condemn the killing of two policemen in a dastardly and savage act of senseless violence at Baghat today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Suhail Ahmad and Mohd Yusuf in this hour of grief,” the party said. Local leaders of the BJP and the Congress also condemned the killings.
BJP leader Altaf Thakur termed the attack an act of cowardice.
“There is no place for such cowardly acts and the attackers must be brought to book,” he said.
The two constables were on duty at Baghat on the high-security airport road when they were attacked.
The terrorist, identified as Saqib, can be seen pulling out an assault rifle hidden inside his ‘pheran’, a loose over-garment worn during winters, and pumping bullets at them at close range.
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Scrapping of Article 370 ended sufferings: L-G
By Express News Service
SRINAGAR: Years of suffering of the people of J&K ended on August 5, 2019, when its special status granted by Article 370 was abrogated, Lt-Governor Manoj Sinha told the foreign diplomats who met him on the second day of their-two-visit.“Efforts of the PM ushered the UT into a new era, which has brought about socio-economic development and empowerment of the people,” Sinha told the 24 foreign envoys on the political, security and economic situation in J&K.
He informed the envoys that the Modi government had drawn up excellent ideas and initiatives of industrialisation even in far-flung areas so that jobs could be created for youth. He said the government is investing more than ever before in infrastructure, industries, education, healthcare, skill development, sustainable livelihood.
Terming militancy as the biggest enemy of human-kind, Sinha said: “Despite attempts by our neighbour to destabilise the security situation and trigger social disharmony, the government remains resolute.
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Terrorists still retain ability of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir: Army
By PTI
SRINAGAR: A top army officer on Thursday said the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir still retain the ability to carry out attacks despite improvement in the overall security indicators and reduction in estimates of terrorist numbers to nearly 200 in the Union Territory.General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen B S Raju also said the edifice of counter-terror operations still requires a grid deployment to ensure security to the citizens residing in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Overall, the security indicators have improved. However, the terrorists still retain the ability for a terror act,” Lt Gen Raju told the foreign envoys who visited the headquarters of the 15 corps at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here.
The visiting envoys interacted with Lt General Raju and other senior officers including Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar.
The envoys were briefed by the police and army representatives on the ground situation at the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland.
The police briefing included an update on the efforts on ‘mainstreaming the youth’ and ‘policing under COVID-19 challenges’ followed by an Army briefing which included a historical update and the current situation in the JK, an Army official said.
He said the event concluded with a question-answer session wherein the heads of missions asked questions to Lt Gen Raju.
In response to the queries, the Corps Commander elucidated the multi-pronged and integrated approach of the Indian Army and police in Jammu and Kashmir.
On being asked about the status of various terror organisations, the Corps Commander shared that last year most terror organizations have experienced depletion in their strength and killing of the group leaders which has resulted in a more secure environment.
He explained that despite estimates on the number of terrorists reducing to nearly 200, the edifice of counter-terror operations still requires a grid deployment to ensure security to the citizens residing in the UT.
“International experiences including in Afghanistan proves the need for boots on the ground in counter terror operations,” he said.
Lt Gen Raju said while grassroots politics is taking roots, the terror organisations’ effort to target political workers is a worry.
“It is a clear message that Pakistan-sponsored elements do not want a change to the status quo. Any activity that leads to normalization of the situation is opposed,” he said.
The Corps Commander also drew attention to the propaganda efforts of Pakistan and the separatists and said Kashmiri citizens have seen through the lies of the cross-border propaganda and are choosing to ignore it.
On being queried about de-radicalisation efforts, the Corps Commander said the principal supporters in such efforts are the parents, society elders and friends who help in identification of youth vulnerable to radical ideology.
A joint civil society and government effort is made to counsel and support such an identified youth, he said.
The official said the visiting envoys expressed satisfaction at the soft policing being attempted in Jammu and Kashmir.
On being queried about the role of NGOs in supporting the government’s efforts, the Corps Commander said many local and national NGOs are helping the government in its efforts in JK in diverse fields including drug abuse, women empowerment and imparting skills to the youth.
“The national NGOs bring in skills, technology and help in building cross-regional linkages, which would prove invaluable in the long term,” he said.
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Fair, free elections will be held in J&K after completion of delimitation process: LG Manoj Sinha
By ANI
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday assured that after the Delimitation Commission completes its work, elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner in the region.“The delimitation process is on. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured the country that after the delimitation process is completed, the assembly elections will be held. After the Delimitation Commission finishes its work, I assure, elections will be conducted in a fair and free manner,” Sinha said.
The delegation of foreign envoys visiting Jammu and Kashmir met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Jammu on Tuesday.
The Delimitation Commission comprising of Chairperson Retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Ex-Officio Member Sushil Chandra (Election Commissioner) and ex-officio member, KK Sharma (State Election Commissioner, J-K) held a meeting today in New Delhi with the Associate members from J-K, for seeking their suggestion/views on the process of delimitation with respect to the union territory.
An overview of the process of delimitation based on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 and Delimitation Act, 2002 was presented before the members detailing various Sections of these Acts related to the delimitation exercise of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The two Associate Members appreciated Commission’s efforts and suggested that delimitation of constituencies shall be as far as practicable, be for geographically compact areas and while delimiting them regard shall be given to physical features; existing boundaries of administrative units; facilities of communication and public convenience,” read the press release by Election Commission today.
They also suggested giving special attention to the difficult terrains while carrying out the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.
On August 15, 2020, PM Modi said that the ‘delimitation process’ is underway in Jammu and Kashmir and added that polls will be conducted soon in the Union Territory soon.
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J-K: Heightened vigil at LoC pushed terror groups to dig tunnels to infiltrate, Army tells envoys
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Heightened vigil along the Line of Control has pushed terror groups and Pakistani establishments to send militants into India using tunnels dug under seasonal river beds along the International Border in the Jammu region, the army on Thursday told a group of 24 foreign envoys visiting Jammu and Kashmir.The envoys, including those from member states of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), arrived in the union territory on a two-day visit on Wednesday to assess the development work and the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the erstwhile state’s special status was abrogated in 2019.
They were given a detailed presentation by senior Indian army officers on the role of the Pakistani army in helping cross-border infiltration and supplying arms, and instances of unprovoked ceasefire violation by the neighbouring nation.
The envoys were briefed by the officers at the strategically-located headquarters of the army’s XV Corps, which overlooks the Kashmir Valley.
The officials said that after the army made certain changes to the Counter Infiltration Grid along the Line of Control (LoC), the Pakistani establishment has been using a network of natural caves and sometimes digging tunnels under seasonal rivers along the International Border in Jammu region’s Samba sector to push terrorists into India.
Highlighting the techniques used by Pakistan-based terror groups for infiltration, they said the establishment across the border is engaged in providing all support to militants in spreading violence in the union territory.
It was mentioned that the terrorists, who masterminded a dastardly attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama in 2019 that left 40 personnel dead, had also infiltrated into India through a tunnel in the Jammu region.
The officials told the envoys that despite foiling several attempts of infiltration along the LoC, the Pakistan army continues to run terror camps across the border and violate ceasefire to help terrorists to enter into the Kashmir Valley.
In order to reduce loss of life, the Pakistani establishment is airdropping weapons from across the border using drones.
These drones can carry payloads of around 12 kilograms, the army officials told the foreign delegation, which includes four envoys from member countries of the OIC.
The envoys were shown seized weapons from terrorists having markings of the Pakistan ordinance factory, they said.
On the situation in the Kashmir Valley, the army officials highlighted Wednesday evening’s incident in which a son of a prominent eatery owner was shot and critically wounded by terrorists at his shop in a high-security area of the city.
This was a part of the terrorists’ game plan to silence either moderate voices in Kashmir or those who refused to follow their diktat, they said.
The army also gave a detailed briefing on how internet-warfare was used by Pakistani establishments to brainwash youngsters through social media platforms.
Coming to the situation post the abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the army officials said there has been no loss of life due to the action of security forces.
There has been a marked decrease in law and order problems and incidents of stone pelting have seen a sharp decline, the army officials told the visiting envoys, and also shared their experience during the recent District Development Council (DDC) elections, which were conducted successfully.
Besides terrorism and the situation along the LoC, the officials informed the envoys about the assistance being provided to people living in far-flung areas.
They were also informed about the tourism sector in the Kashmir Valley and the achievements of the Kashmiri people in various fields.
The envoys from the EU, France, Malaysia, Brazil, Italy, Finland, Bangladesh, Cuba, Chile, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Senegal, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, Ghana, Estonia, Bolivia, Malawi, Eritrea and Ivory Coast arrived here on Wednesday amid heightened security arrangements in the city and elsewhere in the Valley.
Earlier, Superintendent of Police (Srinagar East) Sheema Nabi gave a presentation to the envoys about how the police dealt with challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was all about maintaining a balance between addressing people’s problems and enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, she said.
Nabi said that humane touch and outreach helped the Jammu and Kashmir Police deal with the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.
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