SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said it attached 14 marla residential land belonging to a terror associate's family in north Kashmir's Bandipora district 

"Bandipora Police has attached 14 Marla of residential land at Ashtengoo Bandipora in case FIR No.43/2022", said a police spokesperson. 

"The land had been identified as proceeds of terrorism and was attached under the UAPA."

"The land belongs to the family of a terror associate of LeT , Irfan Ahmad Bhat. His brother had also exfiltrated to Pakistan in 2000", the spokesperson said further. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Navami Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha performed Puja at under-construction temple of Goddess Bhaderkali at Devi Angan Thalwal, Jammu.

The Lt Governor extended Maha Navami greetings and assured all necessary support from the J&K Administration to Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust (MBAT) for the early completion of the ongoing construction work of temple, which will be the replica of the ancient temple situated in Handwara.

He also appreciated the efforts of Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust in building requisite facilities for pilgrims including socio-cultural centre and Shaheed Sthal to honour the martyrs of Kashmiri Pandit Community, Army, Police and Central Armed Police Forces.

In his remarks, the Lt Governor highlighted the cultural renaissance in the country under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and restoration of important ancient and religious sites with the broader objective of the welfare of the society. He said the J&K Administration is working with complete dedication to create a favorable scenario for the permanent settlement of Kashmiri Pandit community in the valley.

Recalling his earlier discussion with Kashmiri Pandit delegation, the Lt Governor said the government will make necessary arrangements to provide land at low price to government employees in Srinagar to build their own houses.

The Lt Governor said, a nodal officer has been appointed in LG Secretariat to address all the issues and concerns of Kashmiri Pandit Community. He said, the members of community can also take up issues with Divisional Commissioner, ADGP, IGP and concerned Deputy Commissioner and their matter will be taken up on priority.

The Lt Governor directed KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation for regular allotment of completed houses in Kashmir valley and submit a report on the requirements and gaps in terms of infrastructure and other facilities. The Lt Governor also highlighted various initiatives taken by the administration for the welfare of the community.

Despite desperate attempts to disrupt peace by the neighboring country and terror outfits, our Police and Security forces are working round the clock to ensure a safe and secure environment for the people, he said.

Sh Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh Anand Jain, IGP Jammu; Sh Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Sh Ajay Bharti, former legislator;  senior officers of Civil and Police Administration; members of Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust and prominent citizens were present. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today took a high level meeting to review the land allotment of 5 Marlas to the landless eligible families of the UT under PMAY (Grameen).

Those who were present in the meeting included Commissioner Secretary, RDD; Secretary, Revenue; Deputy Commissioners; Secretary in RDD; Director, Rural Development Kashmir/Jammu besides other concerned officers.

Outstation based officers participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

The Chief Secretary took stock of the allotments made by each Deputy Commissioner. He enjoined upon them to ensure that no deserving person is left out. He asked for making the names of all the beneficiaries public so that people know about them. He further directed for assigning a clear reason against any rejected applications and communicating the same to the applicant for his knowledge.

The Chief Secretary enquired from each DC about the quantum of state land retrieved in their districts. He enquired from them about its utilization for public purposes so far and the plans for the rest of it. He enjoined upon them to prepare a robust utilization plan immediately.

The Chief Secretary further observed that in order to achieve the objective of ‘Zero Houseless' in the UT, the Deputy Commissioners should identify other landless people who are domiciles of the UT for covering them under the ambit of this scheme. He maintained that in next phase the administration would scrutinize their applications for allotment of 5 marlas of land in near future.

During this meeting it was revealed that till date more than 350 eligible families have been allotted 5-marla plots of land by the Deputy Commissioners after carrying out proper verifications about their claims. It was further revealed that in next few days all such landless persons eligible under phase -I would be provided the suitable plots of land as per the rules of the scheme. (GNS)

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Dak Bunglow Kupwara, he said that only those eligible people who are landless will get 5 Marla land from the government.

“Any person who did not have his own land, Jammu and Kashmir government will provide him 5 marlas land under the PMAY scheme”, the Lieutenant Governor said.

Sinha, who was on a two-day visit to Kupwara district, also said that the border district will be connected with the rail link soon.

"The Railway Minister has already sanctioned a budget for a technical survey of rail project connecting to the district. Once the survey is completed, Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be submitted”, he said and added “Kupwara will be connected with the rail link soon.”

The LG said that Kupwara is on the path of prosperity and development even though the security situation has improved as well in the past three years.

“Common man is living a peaceful life here. This district has seen a significant improvement in the agriculture and allied sector. Both growth and production has increased,” he said.

Sinha said that infrastructure development has also seen significant improvement.

“Roads have been developed. Remote areas have been connected with road connectivity. A lot of work has also been done on the transmission and distribution of power supply as well. Compared to the past, our strength has improved to a great exten,” he said.

He said that Kupwara is witnessing a bloom in the tourism sector and a lot of work is being done for its further growth. A lot of tourists visited the place during the past few years.

The Lieutenant Governor said that the establishment of Government Medical College (GMC) is also a great step.

Sinha said the areas in the district which used to remain closed for 6 months are now seeing electricity for the first time. He said work on road connectivity, water supply and electricity has been going at a good pace and about 70 per cent of the work has been completed on connecting water taps to each household.

By the end of this year, 100 per cent of the target will be achieved,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the administration has been able to bring transparency and have adapted to the pro-people approach and a new dawn of development is being written in Kupwara district.

Earlier during the day, the Lieutenant Governor paid obeisance at Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Tikkar Kupwara and prayed for peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being of one and all. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: A younger has killed his elder brother over some land dispute in Doda district of Jammu division on Saturday.

An official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that a younger brother identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad son of Nazir Ahmad attacked his elder brother Ishtiyaq Ahmad over some land dispute.

"In the incident, Ishtiyaq received injuries and he was shifted to SDH Gundwah from where he was referred to GMC Doda where he succumbed to injuries," he added.

He added that Ishtiyaq was working as teacher while Imtiyaz is Special Police Officer of J&K Police.

Meanwhile, Police have taken cognizance of the incident and two persons have been already arrested in this regard while further investigation has been taken up. (KS)

SRINAGAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that everybody knows that the land of Ladakh has been taken away by China from India and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not speaking the truth about the issue.
Gandhi was addressing a public rally in Kargil district of Ladakh in the Union Territory on Friday.
“Ladakh is a strategic place and when I went to Pangong it was clear that China has grabbed thousands of kilometers of Indian land”, Rahul said.

"It is sad that the Prime Minister of India announced during the opposition party meeting that not an inch of Indian land has been grabbed by anybody, ” he said.

“This is totally a blatant lie as everybody in Ladakh knows that the land of Ladakh has been taken away by China from India and the Prime Minister is not speaking truth”.

He said whenever India needed the help of people of Ladakh and Kargil on the borders during the war, they with one voice stood with the Indian army.

This is not for the first time but it has been observed that people of Kargil and Ladakh always stand with the army whenever their services are required, Rahul said and congratulated the people of Kargil on the occasion for their role.
He said he went to all the four sides of Ladakh and thinks that this is the only beautiful place of India.
“I went to almost every part of Ladakh on motorbike to hear the voices of the people to understand their problems”, Gandhi said and added “the people alleged that their voices are being suppressed even though they were provided with the status of Union Territory”.

He said that people had told him that the promises made by the administration to provide jobs and employment proved all false.

The Congress leader said if anyone goes anywhere in Ladakh as any person, he will tell you that Ladakh is the epicenter of unemployment. He said the people also alleged that there is no good cell phone communication and Aeroplanes are not landing here despite having an airport.

The Wayanad MP said there are numerous people living in India of different religions, caste and speaking separate languages…they all should live honorably and peacefully.

Rahul promised the people that Congress party is with them to support them in saving their land, providing employment, safeguarding the culture and language always. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing Srinagar (Crime Branch Kashmir) produced chargesheet against a land-broker and another person accused of cheating a client in Gulab Bagh Pandach in central Kashmir's Srinagar district. 

A CBK spokesperson in a statement issued to GNS said, a chargesheet in Case FIR No. 27/2021 of P/S Crime Branch Kashmir against Brij Nath Bhat, S/o Late Tara Chand Bhat, R/o Indira Nagar, Srinagar (a/p House No. 156, Amit Nagar, Muthi, District Jammu) and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, S/o Abdul Ahad Sheikh, R/o Sichen Bannet, Beerwah, District Budgam before the Hon’ble Court of Judge Small Causes Srinagar for their alleged involvement in commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 468, 471 & 120-B of RPC.

"The case owes its origin to a written complaint received in Crime Branch Kashmir wherein it was alleged that the accused Brij Nath Bhat along with Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh (land broker) had entered into an “agreement to sell” in respect of a plot of land ostensibly measuring 01 Kanal and 10 Marlas situated at Gulabh Bagh, Pandachh, Srinagar (recorded under Khasra No. 749/min; mutation No. 1554) to the complainant and his brother. Pursuant to said agreement, the complainant had transferred an amount of Rs. 47.20 lakh to the bank account of the accused Brij Nath Bhat. However, even after receiving the consideration amount in full, the accused persons had failed to transfer the land to the complainant. It was further alleged that the accused persons are absconding from their known addresses and have also changed their mobile phone numbers etc", reads the statement as per GNS. 

"Accordingly, the instant case was registered at P/S Crime Branch Kashmir in the year 2021 and investigation started."

"Based on the facts unearthed and irrefutable evidence collected during investigation, the case was concluded as ‘‘proved” against the accused persons. The chargesheet has accordingly been presented against the two accused persons in the court of competent jurisdiction for judicial determination. However, due to the fact that the main accused (Brij Nath Bhat) is absconding, chargesheet against him has been presented in absentia u/S 512 CrPC", reads the statement. 

"A “Hue and Cry” notice has also been published in newspapers to facilitate in tracing out the absconding accused Brij Nath Bhat, S/o Late Tara Chand Bhat", reads the statement further. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar of Crime Branch Kashmir on Thursday produced a chargesheet against three persons for their alleged involvement in illegal encroachment of State land in Dhobiwan, Kunzer in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. 

A CBK spokesperson in a statement issued to GNS said that a charge-report in case FIR No. 28/2018 u/Ss 420, 447-A & 120-B RPC of P/S Crime Branch Kashmir was produced before the Hon’ble Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Tangmarg against three individuals for their alleged involvement in the illegal encroachment of State land situated at Dhobiwan, Kunzer, District Baramulla.
 
Informing about the brief facts of the case, the spokesperson said that Crime Branch Kashmir received a complaint alleging therein that Mohammad Najeeb Goni, S/o Abdul Ghani Goni, R/o Baghat-Barzulla, Srinagar in connivance with some local land brokers, viz.,   Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, S/o Abdul Aziz Bhat, R/o Ussan Bangil, Karhama, Distt. Baramulla and Mohammad Ashraf Wani, S/o Mohammad Munawar Wani, R/o Utikoo, Karhama, Distt. Baramulla had unlawfully trespassed and encroached upon State land measuring approximately 25 kanals situated at village Dhobiwan, Kunzer, District Baramulla and had also erected sign boards and stone blocks etc. in said land. 

"The complaint prima facie disclosed commission of criminal acts by the accused persons. Accordingly, the instant case was registered in Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir in the year 2018 and investigation started."
 
"Evidence collected during investigation of the case has established that the accused persons hatched a criminal conspiracy and unlawfully trespassed/encroached upon a parcel of State land measuring approximately 25 kanals situated at village Dhobiwan, Kunzer, District Baramulla", said the spokesperson in a statement adding they accused had fenced the said parcel of land and had also erected sign boards and placed numerous stone blocks thereby illegally and fraudulently converting/ demarcating the said parcel of State land into plots so that the same could be offered for sale to private buyers.
 
"Criminal culpability of the accused individuals for commission of offences punishable under Sections 420, 447-A & 120-B RPC has been proved."
 
"The charge-report (challan) of the instant case has accordingly been presented in the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination", the spokesperson said further. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The J&K Resident Commission today carried an eviction drive and retrieved land measuring 1 Kanal and 11.2 Marlas with built up temporary structures at Kashmir House, Rajaji Marg here, which was under unauthorized occupation of unknown persons.

The drive was carried on the directions and guidance of Estates Officer, J&K Resident Commission, New Delhi, Niraj Kumar.

The eviction proceedings were initiated under Section-4 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act,1971 issued initially to the Central Public Works Department, followed by another notice under Section-4 of the Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 issued to all the unknown unauthorized occupants at Kashmir House, Rajaji Marg, staying on the above piece of land who were also making an unauthorized use of water and electricity to facilitate their stay.

Subsequently, the Estates Officer, Resident Commission, J&K Govt, New Delhi passed an eviction order under sub-section (1) of Sec. 5 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, against all the unauthorized occupant(s) particulars of whom were not known.

Notwithstanding even after completion of prescribed legal procedure, the unauthorized occupants did not vacate the premises even after the lapse of period of 15 days as specified in the eviction order passed by the Estates Officer and thereafter, no notice of appeal or stay against the order of eviction issued by the Estates Officer was received.

Eventually, the Estates Officer, J&K Resident Commission along with the assistance provided by various wings of J&K Police, J&K PW(R&B), New Delhi and staff of the J&K Resident Commission, New Delhi evicted all the unauthorized occupants from the premises today. All the unauthorized occupants were given opportunity to remove their belongings and the process of eviction was completed in a peaceful manner. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that foreign tourist arrivals have shown a significant increase in the UT post-G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar and the figure is set to go up further in the coming months.

He also announced five malras land for the landless families of J&K and stated that almost two lakh homeless families are being provided homes in the UT under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojna (Yojna).

Addressing a press conference at Rajbhawan, LG Sinha said that the successful G-20 meeting in Srinagar held on May 22 to May 25 this year is proving to be a game changer for the tourism sector in J&K. “The participants of the G-20 meeting have gone back to their respective countries with a good message. Post G-20 meeting, we have seen a significant increase in the foreign tourist arrivals in J&K. The number is set to go up further in the coming months,” he said.

The LG further said that Srinagar is fast emerging as the hub of international activities. “For the first time, the Indian System of Medicines, Engineer’s Association, Chartered Accountant Association and 18 Supreme Court judges participated in different meetings in Srinagar recently,” he said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced PM Awas Yojna and J&K couldn’t lag behind. “After discussing the issue with the Administrative Council and with the Revenue and Rural Development department, it was decided that 5 malras land will be given to the landless families of J&K. So far 2711 landless families have been given land and more will be covered shortly. Similarly, as far as the homeless families are concerned, a total of 1, 99,550 families have been identified and till June 21, 1,44000 families have been given sanction while remaining will be covered as well,” he said.

To a query whether West Pak Refugees were covered under the scheme, the LG gave a guarded reply stating that there is no caste and religion being followed in the scheme. “A proper eligibility criterion is being followed. Whosoever is eligible is being covered,” he said. “Providing land to the landless and homes to the homeless is a revolutionary step. Once a poor person gets home, he will think of earning a  living and sending his children to schools,” the LG said.

He said land and homes are being given to the eligible people in their respective Panchayats only. “It is not like someone who is eligible in Anantnag district will be given a home in Samba,” the LG said.

About the Amarnath Yatra, he said that the pilgrimage is going on smoothly on both tracks amid proper security arrangements.

“There are 4000 sanitary workers who are deployed for the cleanliness of trash,” he said, adding that the one area of concern is traffic management of tourists and local citizens which is being streamlined in the next two days. “It is being ensured that locals face the least inconvenience,” the LG said (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Special Investigation Unit of Kupwara Police has attached property of a Pakistan-based militant operating from Pakistan at three different locations in Divar village of Lolab in the district. 

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the Pakistan based terrorist, Almas Rizwan Khan son of Late Mohd Anwar Khan originally a resident of Diver Lolab, has been a persistent threat to peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir since the time he exfiltrated to Pakistan in early 1990s. 

"Earlier a member of TJI and now TRF, Almas's strategic involvement in numerous acts of terror has caused immense suffering and loss of innocent lives in the valley in the past. Jammu and Kashmir Police has been actively pursuing his acts to bring an end to his  destructive activities," reads the statement. 

It reads that following extensive intelligence gathering and meticulous investigations in case FIR No.276/2022 of Police Station Kupwara registered under sections 120-B, 121, 121-A, 122, 123 IPC & 17, 18, 18-A, 18-B, 20, 38, 39, 40 of UA(P)A, the team of SIU Kupwara Police led to the identification and subsequent attachment of the terrorist's property of land measuring 26 Kanals and 4 Marlas located at three different locations within the district at Diver Lolab. 

"This measure aims to disrupt his illicit network and restrict his ability to carry out further acts of terror. The attachment of the property serves as a strong message to terrorists and their supporters that their actions will not go unnoticed or unpunished."

It added that it underscores the unwavering commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to combate terrorism at its roots and dismantling its infrastructure—(KNO)