LOCKDOWNS SHOULD BE LAST RESORT: MODI

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that lockdowns should be the "last resort" to deal with the raging COVID-19 pandemic, and sought to deliver a message to reassure the nation that his government was making all efforts to augment medical care as the country was again faced with a "big battle" against the virus. Modi also asked states to convince migrant workers, a large number of whom have begun leaving for their home states in distress following lockdowns in c...

Admin imposes restrictions for COVID containment; orders rotational opening of shops

21/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 20: Amid a spike in the COVID-19 infections, the Jammu and Kashmir government has extended the night curfew in effect in the municipal areas of eight districts presently, to all the 20 districts of the union territory in a bid to contain the disease spread, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha announced on Twitter. The night curfew was in force since April 9 in the municipal areas of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag and Kupwara districts f...

Dr Jitendra tests positive for COVID-19

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and asked all those who came in contact with him to get themselves screened. "I have today tested #COVID positive with symptoms. Please get yourself screened if you were in my contact recently and take care," he tweeted. Singh, who holds multiple portfolios, including Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, is also the Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency.

Transporters calls for strike over Govt’s 50% passenger order

21/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 20: The Transporters Welfare Forum (TWF) Tuesday called for a strike over fresh government order regarding 50% passenger movement in vehicles and demanded 50% hike in passenger fare. TS Wazir, President of Jammu and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association said that the order regarding 50% passenger movement in public transport has been taken without taking the transporters into the consideration. “With 50% passengers on board, we won’t be able to even earn the money for fuelling p...

Centre asks Union Territories to ramp up testing; augment lab, hospital infrastructure

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: The Centre on Tuesday advised union territories to ramp up testing for COVID-19 and augment laboratory and hospital infrastructure to prepare for the next three weeks keeping in view the critical situation. These were conveyed to top officials of the union territories at a review meeting by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. After a detailed discussion on various issues relating to COVID, the Union home secretary asked the officials ...

J&K reports highest single day spike of 2,030 COVID-19 cases, 8 more fatalities

21/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 20: Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest single-day spike of 2,030 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, which includes 352 travellers, taking the infection tally in the union territory past 1.50 lakh, officials said here. They said eight more fatalities were registered in a span of 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 2,071. Of the fresh cases, 944 are from Jammu division and 1,086 from Kashmir division, the officials said, adding that the union territory's total caseload now stands at ...

Youth who inadvertently crossed into PoK handed over to India

21/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 20: Pakistan Army on Tuesday handed over to the Indian authorities an 18-year-old youth who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last year. Mohammad Sayeed Mohiuddin was handed over to the Indian authorities at Titwal crossing point in Tangdhar sector along the LoC, a defence spokesman said here. "Inadvertent crossings across the Line of Control by locals on either sides of it have been an occurrence due to rugged terrain. In one suc...

Traffic on J&K highway suspended due to landslide in Ramban

21/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 20: Vehicular traffic was suspended on the Jammu-Srinagar highway on Tuesday after a landslide hit the arterial road in the union territory's Ramban district, officials said. The landslide blocked the highway near the Cafeteria Morh, they said. Due to the blockade, hundreds of Jammu-bound trucks that started late Monday night from Qazigund are stuck between Ramban and Ramsoo, the officials said. Passenger traffic has also been stopped at Nagrota and Udhampur, they said. Deputy Su...

Rajnath asks DPSUs, DRDO, OFB to provide oxygen, beds to state govts

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: As India battles a massive spike in coronavirus cases, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asked defence public sector undertakings, DRDO and Ordnance Factory Board to work on a war footing to provide oxygen cylinders and extra beds to various state governments at the earliest besides extending all required help. At a virtual meeting with top defence brass, Singh also announced granting emergency financial powers to the three services and other defence agencies to make...

Govt's COVID-19 vaccine policy discriminatory: Rahul

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the government over its vaccine policy, alleging it is discriminatory and that there is no vaccine guarantee for the weaker sections. He also said there will be no free vaccine for those between the age of 18 and 45 years. "No free vaccines for 18 to 45-year-old. Middlemen brought in without price control. No vaccine guarantee for weaker sections. The Government of India's Vaccine Discrimination -- Not Distribution -- strat...

CBI nabs insurance officers for seeking Rs 4.5 lakh bribe for settling accidental death claim

21/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 20: The CBI has arrested a senior divisional manager and an administrative officer of the National Insurance Company Ltd for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 4.5 lakh to settle the accidental death claim of a person, officials said Tuesday. After getting the complaint, the CBI had laid a trap where Nahida, the accused Administrative Officer posted at Srinagar office, had to receive Rs two lakh as the first installment of the alleged bribe, they said. After her arrest while all...

All above 18 eligible for COVID vaccine from May 1; 2.7 lakh more cases

20/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 19: All above 18 years of age will be eligible for COVID vaccination from May 1 while private hospitals and states will be able to buy doses from manufacturers, the Centre announced on Monday as India grappled to rein in the surging coronavirus infections that crossed 1.50 crore, prompting the reimposition of stricter curbs in many parts, including a six-day lockdown in the national capital. The decisions aimed at scaling up inoculation came as 25 lakh cases were added in just 1...

Former PM Manmohan Singh tests positive, admitted to AIIMS

20/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Former prime minister Manmohan Singh tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here with a mild fever on Monday. Singh, 88, has been admitted to the AIIMS trauma centre, which is a dedicated COVID facility, sources said, adding his condition is stable. They said Singh had a mild fever in the morning and later tested positive for COVID-19.The doctors are monitoring his condition. Singh had taken the two doses of the COV...

UK PM cancels India; India added to travel ban

20/04/2021
LONDON, Apr 19: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cancelled his planned visit to India next week due to the coronavirus situation there, Downing Street announced on Monday, the day it was also confirmed that the country has been added to the UK's COVID-19 travel ban "red list". Johnson, who admitted it was frustrating but only sensible to call off the visit, will instead speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month to launch their plans for the future UK-India partnership, wit...

Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian

20/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Zeipora area of Shopian district following information about presence of militants there, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated. Two militants were killed in the g...

J&K records 1,516 new cases, 6 deaths

20/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 19: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday recorded 1,516 fresh COVID-19 cases, including 231 travellers, pushing the tally to 1,48,208, while six deaths in the past 24 hours raised the toll to 2,063, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 768 were from the Jammu division and 748 from the Kashmir division, they said. The officials said Jammu district recorded a maximum of 451 cases, followed by 383 in Srinagar district and 110 in Baramulla district. The number of active cases has now reache...

Vaccination biggest weapon in fight against COVID-19: Modi

20/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that vaccination is the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus and urged the doctors to encourage more and more patients to get vaccinated. The Prime Minister, while interacting with doctors across the country through video conferencing on the COVID-19 issue and vaccination progress, appreciated the doctors, medical and para-medical staff for their invaluable service towards the country during the coronavirus pandemic. PM...

Army cancels common entrance exam

20/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 19: The Indian Army on Monday announced cancellation of a Common Entrance Examin-ation (CEE) scheduled for April 25 in Samba district for candidates who successfully cleared a recently held recruitment rally. The Army had conducted a month-long recruitment rally at the Sunjuwan Military Station in Jammu from February 10 for various posts for candidates hailing from all the 10 districts of Jammu division, a defence spokesperson said. "CEE for the candidates who had successfully clea...

Dr Jitendra announces DoPT’s fresh COVID guidelines

20/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 19: In view of the unprecedented rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and to take measures to prevent its spread, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel has issued certain/instructions guidelines for strict compliance by Ministries/Departments of the Central government. These instructions/ guidelines shall come into effect immediately and will remain in force until 30.04.2021 or further orders, whichever is earlier, he said. Elaborating on this, Union M...

Govt. attaches KPDCL engineers for laxity in electric supply during Iftar, Sehri times

20/04/2021
JAMMU, APRIL 19: Taking serious note of laxity in electric supply during Iftar and Sehri times in Srinagar district, the Government today ordered attachment of AEE, Bemina and AE Zakoora in the office of Managing Director, KPDCL with immediate effect. The officers of KPDCL will be attached till the time a detailed enquiry is conducted on the issue. It may be recalled that a number of public grievances about disruptions in power supply during Iftar and Sehri times had been received from these ...

J&K reports 1526 new +ve cases, six deaths

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Sunday informed that 1526 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (547from Jammu division and 979from Kashmir division), have been reported thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 146692. Also six deaths have been reported, 03 from Jammu Division and 03 from Kashmir Division. Moreover, 963 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 541 from Jammu Division and 422 from ...

Lt Governor reviews Covid-19 situation in J&K

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a high level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in J&K, which witnessed some major decisions in the direction of containment and control efforts for mitigating the spread of the virus in the UT. After a detailed discussion, the decision was taken to keep all Universities and Colleges in J&K closed for imparting on-campus / in-person education to the students till 15th May, 2021, except for the courses / programs that requi...

Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopens for stranded vehicles

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: Over 1,500 stranded vehicles, including trucks carrying fuel and other essential commodities, left for Kashmir as authorities reopened the Jammu-Srinagar national highway for stranded vehicles on Sunday after the road was cleared of landslide debris at different places in Ramban district, officials said. However, no fresh traffic was allowed either from Srinagar or Jammu in the morning owing to the closure of the highway, they said. The traffic on the highway, the only all-...

66 senior officers transferred in major reshuffle

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: In a major reshuffle, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday ordered transfers and postings of 66 senior officers, mostly belonging to the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS), replacing the directors of various departments, an official order said. The order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) said the decision was taken in the interest of the administration and it will come into effect immediately. Shoukat Aijaz Bhat (KAS), who was awaiting orde...

Soldier shoots himself dead

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: An Army personnel allegedly shot himself dead with his service rifle inside a camp in Ramban district, police said on Sunday. Sepoy Hanuman Choudhary, who was on sentry duty, shot himself at his camp in Ukhral area around midnight, a police official said. The body has been sent to a local hospital for postmortem. Police have started inquest proceedings, the official said, adding the motive behind his taking such an extreme step was not known immediately.

Chief Justice pays obeisance at Raghunath Temple

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice of J&K High Court along with his wife paid obeisance at historical Shri Raghunathji Temple here on Sunday. The Chief Justice and his wife performed special Pooja in the main sanctum of Shri Raghunath ji Temple. President Dharmarth Trust, after welcoming the Chief Justice, briefed him about the history of the temple which was established by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of erstwhile State of J&K. He also disseminated information about the functio...

India records over 2.57 lakh new cases, more than 1,300 deaths

19/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 18: India’s COVID-19 cases tally crossed the 1.5 crore mark on April 18. The country has so far reported a total of 1,50,40,130 cases and 1,78,557 deaths. The country registered 2,57,307 new COVID-19 cases as of 9.15 p.m. on April 18. As many as 1,384 deaths were also recorded on the day. The figures do not include cases and deaths from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, A&N Islands, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The data is sourced from covid19india.org,...

Normal flight operations at Jammu airport to resume from Tuesday

19/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 18: Normal flight movement would resume at Jammu Airport from Tuesday after it witnessed restricted seven-hour operations daily since March 20 owing to resurfacing work of the runway being done by the Indian Air Force (IAF), officials said on Sunday. Jammu Airport Director Pravat Ranjan Beuria issued a fresh flight schedule effective from April 20, marking the resumption of normal flight operations to and from the airport. According to the schedule, 25 flights of different airlines...

Red flags on Army vehicles replaced with white-and-blue ones

19/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 18: The Army in Jammu and Kashmir has replaced red flags on its vehicles with white-and-blue ones and road barriers in sensitive zones have been given a new look in a move to ease the feeling of alienation among people during security checks and drills, an Army official said on Sunday. "Nowadays, the Army vehicles in Kashmir are moving with white-and-blue flags. Earlier, the Army vehicles used to have red flags and even the soldiers in Road Opening Parties carried red flags while...

1,145 new COVID cases in J&K, 3 more die

18/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 17: Con-cerned over the spike in coronavirus cases, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday restricted the ceiling on social gatherings to 100 people and also announced the postponement of Class 11 examination. The latest directive comes two days after Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration deferred biannual 'darbar move' to Srinagar, extended closure of all schools up to and including Class 12 till April 30 along with private coaching centres. It also cancelled the...

Virtual hearing of cases in courts in J&K, Ladakh extended till April 30

18/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: Jammu and Kashmir High Court extended by the end of this month its order regarding virtual hearing of cases amid surge in covid-19 upsurge. “After taking note of the rising trend of Covid-19 Infection cases and the prevailing situation due to the spread of such infection, the High Court order No. 189 of 2021/RG dated 05.04.2021, is extended up to 30th April 2021,” reads an order by Registrar General, Jawad Ahmad. The April 5 order was issued by Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal an...

Schools, coaching centres closed in Leh till April 30

18/04/2021
LEH, Apr 17: Amidst spike in COVID-19 cases, authorities in Leh district of Ladakh on Saturday ordered closure of all government and private schools along with coaching centres till April 30. The order was issued by Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, chairman, district disaster management authority, warning that any violation of the directions will invite strict action under relevant sections of law. All (Govt/Private) schools including residential hostels/schools in Leh district shall remain closed fo...

3 LeT militant associates held in Budgam

18/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: Security forces arrested three militant associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Budgam district and recovered incriminating material from their possession, police said on Saturday. Those arrested have been identified as Narbal-residents Adil Ahmad Dar, Tahir Ahmad Bhat, and Ghulam Mohammsd Gojre, a resident of Kawoosa Khalisa, a police spokesman said. He said preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested militant associates were providing shelter, logistics and oth...

Arrested woman PSO a suspected OGW of militants

18/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: A day after a woman special police officer (SPO) was arrested in Kulgam district for "glorifying terrorism", police on Saturday said the accused was on its radar as a suspected over-ground worker (OGW) of militants. The police also said it has been found that on various media platforms, a number of vested interests with mala fide intentions have put in a lot of efforts into making the incident appear like an "over-reach" and an "excessively strict action". The police's remar...

Police begin probe after woman suffers bullet injury

18/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: Police on Saturday registered a case after a woman suffered a bullet injury in Pulwama district. A police spokesman said Shakeela Banu, wife of Ghulam Nabi Lone, a resident of Darganie Gund area of Tral in the south Kashmir district suffered bullet injuries on Friday night. "Her husband and in-laws kept the incident a secret and ferried her to a nearby hospital in Aripal, then to sub-district hospital Tral but did not disclose to doctors anything regarding the bullet injury,...

NIA files charge-sheet against seven in narco-terrorism case

18/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 17: The National Investigation Agency on Saturday filed a charge-sheet here against seven people, including a resident of Punjab, in a narco-terrorism case related to terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), an official said. The case is related to the seizure of 61 kilograms of heroin, 1.2 kilograms of opium and some arms and ammunition smuggled from across the International Border in the R S Pura sector in Jammu last year, a spokesperson of the agency said. The charge-she...

3,593 cases settled by National Lok Adalat in J&K, Ladakh

18/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 17: A total of 3,593 cases were settled at the day-long National Lok Adalat across the twin Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, an official spokesman said. An amount of over Rs 21.49 crore was awarded as compensation or settlement amount in civil, criminal, labour disputes, electricity and water bills cases, land acquisition, family matters, cheque dishonour and bank recovery cases during the Lok Adalat, the spokesman said. He said the National Lok Adalat...

India records over 2.34 lakh cases in day; 11 states, UTs demand oxygen cylinders, Remdesivir

18/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: The country on Saturday recorded a frightening single-day spike in COVID-19 cases with over 2.34 lakh fresh infections, crossing the two lakh-mark for the third straight day, as demands for increased supply of oxygen cylinders, vaccine doses and Remdesivir were raised by 11 states and UTs, including Delhi, where the pandemic situation was described as "worrisome" by the chief minister. As India's COVID-19 tally inched towards 1.50 crore-mark and the death toll climbed above ...

Lt Gov chairs meeting with all DCs, provides insights for effective formulation of District Development Plans

18/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 17: Janbh-agidari would be the foundation of formulation and implementation of District Development Plans. Aspirations and expectations of common people and elected representatives, besides needs of the districts would be reflected in the Plans. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks while chairing a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the effective formulation of District Development Plans. During the meeting via video conferencin...

Snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir

18/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 17: The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended on Saturday after heavy rains triggered landslides at a few places in Ramban district, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, officials said. A Jammu-bound truck was also hit by stones rolling down a hillock overlooking the highway near Panthiyal but the driver and his helper escaped unhurt, they said. The officials said the traffic on the highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of t...

Jaishankar to visit Abu Dhabi on Sunday

18/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Abu Dhabi on Sunday with a focus on boosting bilateral economic cooperation. His visit to the key city in the United Arab Emirates comes amid evolving geo-political developments in the region, particularly in Afghanistan. "At the invitation of his counterpart, EAM @DrSJaishankar will be visiting Abu Dhabi on 18th April 2021. His discussions will focus on economic cooperation and community welfare," External Affairs Ministry ...

Current COVID-19 situation like being stranded in middle of ocean: Rahul

18/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the Centre's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing the current situation to being stranded in the middle of the ocean, with the ship not knowing where to go. "They (Central government) has basically taken off all our warning systems and shut them down and were in the middle of the ocean in the storm and now the ship has no idea where to go," Gandhi said at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting that took place ...

2,17,353 new COVID-19 cases reported in India, 26.14 lakh vaccine doses administered

17/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 16: India reported its highest-ever single-day spike in COVID-19 cases with over 2.17 lakh new cases and 1,185 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. As many as 2,17,353 new COVID-19 cases were reported in India taking the total coronavirus tally to 1,42,91,917. The active number of cases stands at 15,69,743. In the last 24 hours, 1,18,302 people recovered from the disease. With this, the total recoveries reached 1,25,47,866. Maharashtra continue...

Lawyers submit memorandum to Chief Justice; highlight demands

17/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 16: A delegation of Lawyers Practicing in Jammu wing of J&K High Court and Subordinate Courts met the Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Sh. Pankaj Mithal at Jammu. The delegation comprised of H.C. Jalmeria(Cinvener Lawyers Action Committee), JA Kazmi, AK Sawhney, BS Jamwal, KM Bhatti, Subodh Singh Jamwal, Meharban Singh, Abrar Khan, Umesh Sharma, Gourab Sharma, Narinder Sharma. Highlighting various issues faced by the Lawyers and the justice seeking public, the delegation submitte...

Woman SPO arrested for glorifying terrorism

17/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 16: A woman special police officer (SPO) from Kulgam district has been arrested and terminated from the service for glorifying terrorism and obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duty, a police spokesman said on Friday. Saima Akhter, a resident of Frisal area of the south Kashmir district and working as SPO, has been arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, he added. He said on Wednesday, security forces launched a search operation in Karew...

3 extortionists held in Baramulla

17/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 16: Three alleged extortionists, including a panch, were arrested and toy weapons seized from their possession in Baramulla district, police said on Friday. A complaint was received from Mudasir Ahmad Shiekh, a resident of Panzipora area of Sopore in north Kashmir, stating that during the intervening night of April 3 and 4, some unidentified persons barged into his in-laws' house at Hamdani Colony, Nadihal, along with weapons and asked to drop them in south Kashmir, a police spok...

1144 new COVID infections, two deaths in J&K

17/04/2021
JAMMU, APr 16: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1144 fresh Covid-19 cases, the second highest single day spike in the infections this year so far, even as two more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday. Out of 1144 cases, they said 414 were from Jammu division and 730 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall infection tally to 144021. Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 407 cases, Baramulla 89, Budgam 97, Pulwama 45, K...

1144 new COVID infections, two deaths in J&K

17/04/2021
1144 new COVID infections, two deaths in J&K

LG calls for better synergy between agencies for making J&K power surplus

17/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 16: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha took a comprehensive review of the status of various projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd. (CVPPPL) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in a meeting at the Raj Bhavan here today. At the outset, Managing Director, CVPPPL, A.K Choudhary briefed the Lt Governor regarding the present status of the power projects in the UT viz.- Pakal Dul HE Project(1000 MW), Kiru HE Project (624 MW), Kwar HE Project (540 MW), Kirthai-II HE Pro...

Several vehicles damaged in Transport Nagar blaze

17/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 16: Several vehicles were damaged in a massive blaze that broke out in a workshop yard near yard 6 of Jammu’s Transport Nagar on Friday. Officials said that fire broke out on Friday afternoon in a workshop in Transport Nagar area of Jammu, adding that the vehicles parked there caught fire and got damaged. “Fire fighting operation was launched and police teams have also rushed to the spot,” officials said, adding that although the flames were brought under control but many vehicles ...

13 CPOs promoted as Dy Directors Prosecution, 27 Sr. Prosecuting Officers as CPOs

17/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 16: The Home Department ordered placement of 13 CPOs as DDPs on officiating basis, in their pay and grade with charge allowance as admissible under rules for a period of six month or till the posts are filled up on regular basis. The CPOs who have been placed as Deputy Directors Prosecution include: Khalid Muzaffar Jan, Mohd Ashraf Bakshi, Dawood Ahmed Tota, Inderjeet Lal, Laeeq Ahmed Dar, Aejaz Ahmed Bhat, Ms. Sunita Kargotra, Qazi Abdul Qayoom, Javid Iqbal, Bhupinder Singh, Mo...

Ensure free movement of medical oxygen carrying vehicles along inter-state borders: MHA

17/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 16: The Centre on Friday directed the states to ensure uninter-rupted movement of medical oxygen carrying vehicles along their borders, and said they must not impose any curb on production and supply of the essential public health commodity anywhere. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla's communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories came in the wake of reports of shortage of the medical oxygen for COVID-19 patients in different parts of the country in...

UK confirms approving extradition of Nirav Modi to India

17/04/2021
LONDON, Apr 16: The UK government has signed an order for extradition of fugitive diamond dealer Nirav Modi to India, the country's Home Office confirmed on Friday. A Home Office spokesperson said the extradition order was signed on April 15. Nirav Modi, wanted in India on the charges of fraud and money-laundering, was arrested in March 2019 in London and charged with money laundering and defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of more than Rs 11,000 crore. "On 25 February the District Judge ga...

J&K reports 1141 fresh COVID-19 cases, four deaths

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 1,141 new coronavirus infections that pushed the number of active cases in the union territory past the 10,000-mark for the first time this year, officials said. With the fresh cases, Jammu and Kashmir's cumulative tally has risen to 1,42,877. The death toll climbed to 2,046 with four new fatalities, they said. Of the fresh cases, 707 were reported from the Kashmir division and 434 from the Jammu division. The officials said Srinagar ...

Vikas Lane, Talab Tillo declared as Micro Containment Zone

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: Author-ities on Thursday declared eight localities in north Kashmir’s Baramulla as micro containment zones in view of COVID-19 infections reported there. As per an order issued by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Bhupinder Kumar in this regard, the localities comprise Khwaja Bagh (Lower Petrol Pump to Jetty Road), Chak Kanispora, Sangri Colony, Kanli Bagh, Dewan Bagh, Delina (Qazi Mohalla, Rawatpora, Delina Ghat and Milat Colony), Sherwani Colony and Lone Mohalla Ferozpora. ...

Covid Testing for travelers commences at Radha Swami Sastang Beas Center

16/04/2021
SAMBA, Apr 15: Radha Swami Ashram at Thandi Khui, Vijaypur has been designated as focal point for sample collection, RTPCR/Rapid testing, segregation and streamlining of all the road travellers for district Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu. The testing and sampling of the travellers started in the latter half of the day. Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Anuradha Gupta, visited the site-campus of the Ashram and held marathon meeting with all the stakeholders and finalized the covid control Plan...

Centre asks states to ensure availability of essential supplies, stop panic buying by consumers

16/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 15: Amid concerns over availability of essential items in view of rising COVID-19 cases, the Centre on Thursday directed state governments to take steps to stop panic buying by people and ensure there is no hike in prices of key supplies. In a letter written to state governments, Additional Secretary in Union Consumer Affairs Ministry Nidhi Khare said due to sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, concerns have been raised about "availability of essential commodities to the common man a...

Major reshuffle in police: 19 officers transferred

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thurday ordered the transfer of 19 police officers with immediate effect. According to an order issued by the Home Department Atul Kumar Goel, IPS, DIG, South Kashmir Range, is transferred and posted as DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, against an available vacancy, relieving Vivek Gupta, IFS of the addl charge. Sujit Kumar, IPS, DIG, Udhampur-Reasi Range, is transferred and posted as DIG, North Kashmir Range, vice M. Suleman Choudhary, IP...

Lt Gov calls for institutionalizing transparent, efficient, pro-people administrative set up

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: Lieu-tenant Governor, Manoj Sinha chaired a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of the Jammu Division to review the developmental scenario, law and order situation, besides assessing the Covid containment and mitigation efforts across the districts, at the Civil Secretariat here today. Outlining the agenda of establishing a transparent, efficient, pro-people administrative set up across the Union Territory, the Lt Governor called upon t...

NIA arrests LeT recruiter

16/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: A school teacher, who was a recruiter for proscribed Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashikar-e-Taiba (LeT), was arrested from his residence in north Kashmir on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. Altaf Ahmad Rather, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district, was wanted in a case registered in West Bengal last year following the arrest of a woman, Tania Parveen, for her association with the terror group, a spokesman of the NIA said. Inves...

Rajnath congratulates IAF for ‘befitting’ response to sudden developments in eastern Ladakh

16/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 15: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday complimented the Indian Air Force for ensuring a "timely and befitting" response to the "sudden" developments in eastern Ladakh, in a reference to the Sino-India border row in the mountainous region. During an interaction with top commanders of the IAF, the defence minister also advised them to draw up long term plans and strategies to boost combat capabilities of the force to counter future threats, officials said. Noting that cha...

SED completes process of transfers of around 1200 Lecturers

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: The School Education Department (SED) has completed the process of transfers of around 1200 Lecturers for which applications were received on line for the first time. As per a communique from SED, the proposed transfers have been put to websites of department and directorate for the comments and suggestions. Pertinently, this exercise has happened for the first time with proper and transparent way mechanism. The communique also said that 1700 lecturers have been promoted to S...

Recording of Mehbooba’s mother’s statement by ED deferred

16/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: The recording of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's mother Gulshan Nazir's statement by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been deferred due to Ramzan and the prevailing COVID-19 situation, officials said on Thursday. The ED was conveyed about the same through an informal channel by Nazir, they said and added that recording of her statement is now expected to take place after a few weeks. Nazir, in her seventies, was supposed to appear before the agency at its office here on Thurs...

HC dismisses plea of suspended DySP involved in terror case seeking transfer of case

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: In much publcizied terror funding case in which suspended DySP Davinder Singh was involved who filed an application in the High Court Seeking transfer of the case from Jammu to Srinagar. Justice Sanjay Dhar after hearing Sr. Adv ZA Qureshi with Adv Rehana Fayaz for the applicant whereas Assistant Solicitor General of India Vishal Sharma appearing for the NIA, dismissed the petition as there is no merit in the petition. Justice Sanjay Dhar while dismissing the petition obser...

Army sends civilian, who inadvertently crossed LoC, back to PoK

16/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 15: A man, who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control into India, was on Thursday sent back to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on humanitarian grounds, officials said. The Indian army handed over Ghulam Qadir to authorities in PoK at the Poonch-Rawalakote crossing point in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, they said. The officials said the hand over of Qadir, a resident of Ghim village in PoK's Nikial area, took place around 11:55 am on Thursday at the crossing point on t...

5 more deaths, 1,086 new COVID cases in J&K

15/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 14: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1,086 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including 248 travellers, taking the infection count to 1,41,736, while five deaths due to the virus in the past 24 hours raised the toll to 2,042, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 402 were from the Jammu division and 684 from the Kashmir division, they said. The officials said Srinagar district recorded a maximum of 388 novel coronavirus cases, including 69 travellers, followed by 199 in Jammu district ...

Pak-sponsored narco-smuggling operation foiled in Kupwara

15/04/2021
KUPWARA, Apr 14: The Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday foiled a Pakistan-sponsored narcotics smuggling attempt along the Line of Control in Karnah forests and recovered 10 kg of narcotics, estimated to be approximately Rs 50 crore. According to an official statement, this is the second consecutive busting of Pakistan-sponsored 'Narco Terror Model' in the past week. A 10 kg heroin consignment was recovered from the same general area a week ago in a joint operation, ...

Police arrests JeM terrorist, 3 associates; Arms & ammunition recovered

15/04/2021
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: Police in Kulgam have arrested an active terrorist of JeM & also three terrorist associates. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have been recovered. Acting on a specific information regarding movement of terrorists a special checkpoint was established by Police along with security forces at village Bogund. During checking of vehicles, three persons aboard a Maruti Alto vehicle were signalled to stop, who on seeing the search party tried to escape from t...

Boris Johnson to shorten India visit due to COVID-19 situation

15/04/2021
LONDON, Apr 14: United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reduced the length of his trip to India later this month because of the COVID-19 situation in the country, the British Prime Minister’s spokesperson said on Wednesday. Johnson will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit. According to Reuters, the spokesperson told reporters that the decision was made following discussions with the Indian government. “We’ve been in close contact with the Indian government about the PM...

Modi interacts with Governors, LGs of all states, UTs on COVID-19 situation, vaccination

15/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually interacted with Governors and Lieutenant Governors of all states and union territories regarding the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive in the country. According to PMO, PM Modi said that the values and sense of duty of people are the biggest strengths in the battle against COVID-19, along with the vaccines. He also praised the citizens who participated in this battle last year, considering it their duty, ...

Nearly half a dozen states put off board exams; several others review situation amid COVID surge

15/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 14: As the CBSE cancelled its exams for class 10 and deferred those for class 12, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra have also postponed their state board exams for these classes due to an alarming surge in coronavirus cases. States like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh said they were monitoring the situation and are yet to decide whether to go ahead with the board exams. Karnataka said it will conduct the exams as scheduled. Meghalaya too said it is ready...

E-bidding for liquor licenses to end monopoly: Excise Commissioner

15/04/2021
JAMMU, Apr 14: Amid the ongoing stir by wine traders, Jammu and Kashmir Excise Commissioner Rahul Sharma on Wednesday defended the new policy as "transparent" and said e-bidding for liquor licenses was introduced to end monopoly. However, the protesting traders accused the department of hoodwinking the public by its "false narrative". In an advertisement in a local daily, Sharma highlighted various points of the new policy and also tried to allay apprehensions of the wine traders that peo...

Closely monitoring Pakistan protests, will do utmost to ensure safe return of Sikh pilgrims: Jaishankar

15/04/2021
NEW DELHI, Apr 14: India is closely tracking the developments in Pakistan and will do "utmost" to ensure security and safe return of the Sikh Pilgrims who have gone to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Lahore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. "Closely tracking developments. In touch with Pakistani authorities and Sikh Jatha. Will do utmost to ensure security and safe return of pilgrims," Jaishankar said in a tweet. His comment came after Manjinder Singh Sirsa, P...

India under Modi more likely to respond with military force to Pak provocations: US

15/04/2021
WASHINGTON, Apr 14: India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations, the US intelligence community has told Congress in a report. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in its Annual Threat Assessment report to the US Congress, said although a general war between India and Pakistan is unlikely, crises between the two are likely to become more intense, risking an escalat...

Snow-clearance operation along Srinagar-Leh highway in full swing

15/04/2021
KARGIL, Apr 14: The snow-clearance operation at the Zojila pass along the Srinagar-Leh national highway is in full swing and likely to be completed before next week, officials said on Wednesday. This year, the 434-km strategic highway linking Ladakh with Jammu and Kashmir was opened on February 28, much ahead of the schedule, after remaining closed for 58 days due to snowfall. This was the earliest reopening of the high-mountain Zojila pass and also the shortest closure period. However, snowf...