Tag: Jammu

Categories
-Top News India News Jammu & Kashmir

EC holds talks with stakeholders on J&K polls

After their arrival, the ECI team drove straight to the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) situated by the banks of the Dal Lake where they started interactions with representatives of various national and regional political parties…reports Asian Lite News

The full team of the Election Commission, which reached Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday to review the preparations for the coming Assembly elections, had daylong deliberations with various stakeholders.

The EC team, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar and including Election Commissioners, Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, were received by J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), P.K.Pole and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.

“The Election Commission of India “commenced a pivotal two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to oversee poll preparations for Assembly Elections in the Union Territory. The visit underscores the ECI’s unwavering commitment to facilitating a seamless and transparent electoral process in the region. Today, the ECI team engaged in extensive deliberations with a spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives from national and state recognised political parties to solicit valuable insights and understand their concerns, thereby fostering their active involvement in the electoral process,” an official statement said.

After their arrival, the ECI team drove straight to the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) situated by the banks of the Dal Lake where they started interactions with representatives of various national and regional political parties.

Those sending their representatives to interact with the commission included the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Aam Aadmi Party, the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the CPI-M.

The NC leaders meeting the ECI team included Sakina Itoo, Nasir Aslam Wani, Showkat Ahmad Mir, Peer Afaq Ahmad, and Shami Oberoi. The PDP had sent Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Suhail Bukhari, Asiya Naqash, and Abdul Hameed Kosheen.

Congress leaders included Peerzada Sayeed, Ravinder Sharma, G.N. Monga, Mohd Anwar Bhat and Irfan Nakash, while the CPI-M had sent Mohd Abbas Rather, Abdul Rashid Ittu and Gulam Mohd Shah.

The Aam Aadmi Party was represented by Harpreet Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Amir Kapoor, and Prithipal Singh Sodan.

Party sources of all those meeting the ECI said that they are pressing for the holding of Assembly elections in J&K without any further delay.

Later in the day, the ECI reviewed the poll preparedness with District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police to deliberate on administrative and security arrangements crucial to the conduct of elections.

“Additionally, an evening session was held with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Special Police Nodal Officer (SPNO), and Central Police Forces (CPMF) Nodal Officer to review coordination efforts among various agencies involved in election management. On August 9, the visit will culminate with a final meeting with the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police,” the statement said.

The ECI team will then travel to Jammu for a review with various agencies and culminate in a press conference.

ALSO READ-Pak delegation in Jammu to inspect Indus Water Treaty projects 

Categories
-Top News India News Jammu & Kashmir

‘Centre may restore J&K statehood and hold polls by October’

Union minister Ramdas Athawale said he had a fruitful half-hour meeting with J&K Lt.Governor, Manoj Sinha in Srinagar…reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister of State (MoS) for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale said on Thursday that statehood could be announced for J&K before October this year.

Addressing the media here, the MoS said, “Centre may announce restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before October this year. The legislative Assembly elections may also be held in October. Polls are scheduled to be held in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh before October. I think before October, statehood can be restored and election may also happen in October,” the minister said.

He appealed to the people to ensure record-breaking turnout. He reiterated that the home minister had announced at the time of the abrogation of Article 370 that Assembly elections and statehood would be restored.

He hailed the high voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections and lauded people for strengthening democracy.

He said he had a fruitful half-hour meeting with Lt.Governor, Manoj Sinha in Srinagar.

“Tourism has flourished since the abrogation of Article 370. More than 2.11 crore tourists, including foreigners, have visited here. People don’t fear going to Kashmir now. Earlier, they wanted to come but terrorism was stopping them from arriving here. The Lt Governor told me peace is prevailing amid some untoward incidents,” said the Union Minister.

“The administration has given over two lakh pre and post-matric scholarships to SC and above 84,000 scholarships to OBC students in J&K. SC and OBC constitute eight per cent each in J&K, but there is not a single SC family in Kashmir,” Athawale said.

“A total of 74 cases were registered under the Atrocities Act against SC and OBCs. We are planning to start one old age home in each district of J&K. Currently, we have 16 old age homes in J&K,” he said.

Ramdas Athawale belongs to the Republican Party of India. He said his party would fight around 16 seats in the Assembly polls in J&K.

ALSO READ-PM Modi meet amid spurt in terror attacks in Jammu

Categories
-Top News India News

PM Modi meet amid spurt in terror attacks in Jammu

A vehicle undergoes a security check after a recent encounter that occurred at Desa Village of Doda. (ANI Photo)

The meeting comes after two soldiers were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in Doda where Army personnel engaged in an encounter to neutralise militants linked to the killing of four soldiers, including a Major…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security over the increasing number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the meeting. No more details on Modi’s security meeting have so far been shared.

The security meeting comes after two soldiers were injured in a gunfight between terrorists and security forces in Doda district of J&K where Army men are engaged in an encounter to neutralise some militants linked to the killing of four personnel, including a Major.

The operation entered its fourth day on Thursday and also witnessed a brief exchange of fire at two places in Desa forests on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

“All security forces on the ground are engaged in a well-coordinated operation against terrorists with whom we had contact yesterday and today as well. The operation is under progress and we will get success soon,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar, Ramban range, Shridhar Patil said in Kastigarh.

Earlier in the day, two Army personnel were injured when a group of terrorists fired at a temporary security camp established inside a school building to assist the search operations linked to Doda terror attack. The terrorists, according to the reports, fled into the dense forest after firing at the security personnel.

The gunfight started at Jaddan Bata village in the Kastigarh area at around 2 am and continued for over an hour. One of the critically injured soldiers has been moved to Udhampur-based command hospital.

PRO Defence Jammu said, “Swift action by ALH from Air Force Station, Udhampur saved a critically injured soldier’s life in Doda (J&K). Despite challenging weather, the evacuation was successful, ensuring timely medical care at Command Hospital, Udhampur. Kudos to the team for their dedication & bravery.”

Opposition slams Govt

After another terrorist attack in Jammu’s Doda district, which claimed the lives of four soldiers, the opposition parties on Tuesday slammed the Central government and said that a united national effort is needed against cross-border terrorism.

Four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday.

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has vehemently condemned the cowardly act and criticised the Modi government’s response.

“Deeply distressed by the martyrdom of 4 brave Army soldiers, including an officer, in a terror encounter in Jammu & Kashmir’s Doda. Our heart goes out to the families of our bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of Bharat Mata,” Kharge said, expressing solidarity with the families of the fallen soldiers.

Kharge’s remarks underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasising the need for a recalibrated security strategy amidst the escalating violence in Jammu and Kashmir. ” Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and we wish them a speedy and complete recovery. No words of strong and unequivocal condemnation will suffice for these acts of violence being perpetrated by cowardly terrorists,” he asserted, calling for a united national effort against cross-border terrorism.

Congress party criticised the central government by posting a graphic on ‘X’ which claimed that within 38 days of the third term of the Bharatiya Janata Party government, nine terrorist attacks have already taken place.

The post also mentions that during these recent terrorist attacks, 12 soldiers were killed, 13 injured, 10 civilians were killed and 44 were injured.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said that from all over the country, soldiers come to Kashmir for their duty but go back in “coffins.”

“Soldiers from all over the country come to Kashmir for their duty, but go back in coffins. Who is responsible for this if you say militancy has ended in the valley?… In the last 32 months, especially since this DGP has been appointed, the maximum casualties have taken place… You people guard the borders. So whose responsibility is it to stop infiltration? Is it the responsibility of regional parties?” Mufti asked the government.

“There is no accountability. By now, the heads should have rolled. The DGP should have been sacked. Almost 50 soldiers have lost their lives in the last 32 months. No one is being held accountable,” the PDP chief said, addressing a press conference in Srinagar.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said if the Modi-led Centre is following the policy of ‘Ghar mein ghus kar marenge” then what is happening there?

He further attacked the central government, saying that the series of attacks reflects a failure of the government.

“PM Modi used to say, ‘Ghar mein ghus kar marenge’. What is this then? This is a failure of the government. They are unable to control terrorism. Whatever has happened in Doda is very dangerous,” Owaisi said.

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticised the central government over the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda region and said that terrorism is at its peak since NDA assumed power and the central government is not taking any cognizance of the matter.

ALSO READ-Modi to attend UNGA high-level meet in September

Categories
-Top News India News Jammu & Kashmir

Mehbooba Mufti Trails by 30,513 Votes in J&K Elections

Budgam : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President and candidate from Baramulla constituency Omar Abdullah addresses an election rally in Budgam, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Nisar Malik)

Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the NC is leading against Waheed Parra of the PDP by 5,157 votes…reports Asian Lite News

At the end of the first round of counting in J&K, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is trailing behind his rival Engineer Rashid of the Awami Itihad Party (AIP) while another former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is also trailing.

Omar Abdullah is trailing behind Engineer Rashid by 3857 votes.

Mehbooba Mufti is trailing behind Mian Altaf Ahmad by 30,513 votes.

Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the NC is leading against Waheed Parra of the PDP by 5,157 votes.

In Jammu, Jugal Kishore of the BJP is leading against Raman Bhalla of the Congress by 13,029 votes.

Jitendra Singh of the BJP is ahead of Congress rival Choudhary Lal Singh by 5,244 votes.

ALSO READ-DMK Alliance Takes Lead in Tamil Nadu Early Counting

Categories
India News Jammu & Kashmir Politics

J&K records highest polling in 35 years 

With Phase 6 polls, the 5-phase election process in Jammu and Kashmir has been successfully completed…reports Asian Lite News

J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P. K. Pole on Saturday said that the tentative poll percentage in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency is 53 per cent while for the entire J&K, the poll percentage is 58 per cent, which is highest in last 35 years.

“The tentative poll percentage for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency is 53 per cent which can marginally go up as statistics are still being finalised,” the CEO said while addressing a press conference.

He said that the voting has been highest in the Surankote segment where 68 per cent voter turnout was recorded. In Rajouri, the turnout was more or less equal to Surankote.

“The lowest voter turnout in today’s poll was recorded in Kulgam segment where only 34 per cent turnout was recorded,” the CEO said.

The CEO said that with the Phase 6 poll, the 5-phase election process in J&K has been successfully completed.

“The entire poll process in the UT was held with no stone pelting incident, no shifting of polling stations, no stone pelting on vehicles carrying polling staff and polling material. There was, however, an incident of violence that was not directly related to the elections,” he said.

He said that for the entire Jammu and Kashmir, the turnout was 58 per cent which is the highest in the last 35 years.

When asked about the former Chief Minister and PDP candidate for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, Mehbooba Mufti sitting on a ‘Dharna’ alleging that her workers and polling agents had been arrested, the CEO said, “We all know the past history of Kashmir. Persons with OGW or criminal background were detained to prevent them from disrupting the democratic process.”

He said that while we take such security measures the administration does not see the socio-religious background of the persons involved.

After fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies, two districts of Jammu division, Poonch and Rajouri were added to Valley’s Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency while Pulwama district was deleted from this constituency and was made a part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, just nine per cent voter turnout was recorded in Anantnag while Rajouri and Poonch polled 72 per cent votes.

There are 20 candidates in the fray in this constituency. The main contest is, however, between Mian Altaf Ahmad, senior Gujjar/Baksrwal leader of the National Conference (NC), Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zafar Iqbal Manhas of J&K Apni Party.

BJP has unofficially supported the Apni Party candidate and has not fielded any candidate in this constituency.

Pahari community living in Poonch and Rajouri districts form a significant number of voters in the constituency.

This community was given ST status by the Central government recently.

In addition to the Pahari community, Gujjar/Bakarwal community also form a significant part of the constituency’s electorate.

Cash, liquor, freebies seized in J&K

Election authorities and other enforcement agencies seized around Rs 95 crore worth of cash, liquor, and other freebies, meant to be used to influence the voters during the five-phase Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.  

The election process in J&K ended on Saturday with voting in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

“Despite the voter turnout having broken a 35-year-old record in Kashmir, some candidates had tried to use money, liquor, freebies etc to influence the voters. We seized material and cash with a total value of Rs 94.797 crore from the date of commencement of the Lok Sabha elections in J&K,” an Election Commission official said.

Officials credited the J&K Police with playing the most important role in checking the use of money and freebies as it accounted for Rs 90.83 crore seized during the campaign.

Cash, liquor, drugs and other freebies were seized by various enforcement departments. Major department-wise seizures included seizures by the police valued at Rs 90.831 crore, the Income Tax Department at Rs 42 lakh, the Excise Department at Rs 1.01 crore while the Narcotics Control Bureau seized drugs valued at Rs 2.32 crore, officials said.

“In order to ensure a level playing field for all contestants, we took action against over 40 government employees who were allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. We received 143 grievances on the CVIGIL app out of which over 80 have been resolved while the remaining are under the process of resolution,” the EC official said.

“To monitor various election-related activities and also check the Model Code of Conduct compliance, we had established a command and control room at the CEO office in Jammu as well as in Srinagar. Similar mini-control rooms were also established in every DEO’s (district election officer) office and were functioning round-the-clock. All electronic media channels and social media platforms were monitored here. Any violation so detected was reported and the concerned RO/ARO issued a notice,” the official added.

“All techno-savvy facilities, including GPS monitoring, live surveillance, telecommunication, etc. were put into use to secure one of the most exhaustive and elaborate poll processes in J&K amid concerns about the disruption of this democratic process by anti-national elements in the past,” the EC official said.

ALSO READ-Jammu Kashmir National Front Banned For 5 Years Under UAPA

Categories
India News Politics

High voltage campaigning in Jammu

The Election Commission (EC) has set up 2416 polling stations including 666 urban and 1750 rural polling stations…reports Asian Lite News

Poll campaign reached a high voltage on Tuesday in the Jammu Lok Sabha constituency where 17,80,738 electors will decide the fate of 22 candidates on April 26.

Jugal Kishore Sharma of the BJP is seeking re-election from this constituency for the third time and his main opponent is Raman Bhalla of the Congress supported by the NC that hasn’t fielded any candidate to improve the electoral chances of the Congress candidate.

After the abrogation of Article 370 and the new delimitation of constituencies, the Jammu Lok Sabha constituency includes 18 voting segments spread in Jammu, Samba and Reasi districts plus some posts in the Rajouri district.

The Election Commission (EC) has set up 2416 polling stations including 666 urban and 1750 rural polling stations. Special polling stations have been set up exclusively for physically challenged voters.

For the first time, voters above 85 years can cast their votes at home and these will be collected by the poll staff.

Videography, webcasting and other technical features have also been installed to supervise a fair poll across the constituency.

BJP top leadership including Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have campaigned for the BJP candidate while senior Congress leaders and NC’s Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have addressed election meetings in support of the Congress candidate.

Candidates are now going door to door to seek the support of the voters. This Lok Sabha election is significant because it is the first time that the voters would be exercising franchise after the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of J&K into a union territory.

The focus of all the poll campaigns by various political parties in the constituency has been development, healthcare, road and rail connectivity, employment, education and tourism.

No contesting candidate has tried to stoke discord among the voters by raising religious or ethnic and regional issues. BJP has accused the Congress of bad governance and lack of control over violence during its governments in the state while the Congress has blamed the BJP for denying J&K an elected government.

J&K Police Chief, R.R.Swain has been visiting the various districts in this constituency to address the minutest details of security and to provide a fearless and fair environment for the voters to come and exercise their franchise in large numbers.

Security forces have been put on maximum alert and a substantial deployment of paramilitary forces consisting of 40,000 personnel has been made in Jammu, Samba, Reasi, and Rajouri districts.

As many voting segments are close to the international border in this constituency, BSF guarding the international border and the army guarding the line of control (LoC) have heightened vigil in these sectors.

A large number of first-time voters will also exercise their democratic rights during the voting in this constituency.

BJP names Gyalson as Ladakh candidate

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced Tashi Gyalson, a former party general secretary of the Ladakh unit, as its candidate from the Ladakh constituency replacing its current MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal from the Lok Sabha seat.

Tashi Gyalson is a councillor from the Lingshed constituency and in 2020 was elected as chairman and chief executive councillor of the 6th Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, (LAHDC), Leh.

He joined the BJP after the BJP-PDP coalition government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir collapsed. He was then a member of the PDP.

Speaking to ANI on his candidature Tashi Gyalson said, “I thank PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party national president JP Nadda, and party leaders, and workers for showing confidence in me.”

“I do not think it is that challenging in Ladakh because a lot of work has been done in Ladakh. I have confidence that people will trust PM Modi and BJP will win,” he said.

Ladakh will go to polls on May 20.

In 2014, BJP won the lone Lok Sabha seat from Ladakh with the slimmest of margins that year (36 votes), and in 2019 it was feted for fulfilling a long-pending promise of abrogation of Article 370.

The party’s candidate Jamyang Namgyal won the seat in 2019 with a margin of 10,000 votes.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk is protesting for statehood and the 6th Schedule for the Ladakh Union Territory.

The people of Ladakh are demanding statehood, inclusion under the 6th schedule of the Indian Constitution, and other rights.

The key demands include- statehood and inclusion under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants special rights to tribal communities, and stronger ecological protections for Ladakh.

The people also demanded an end to the clampdown on peaceful protests, the lifting of the internet ban, and the revocation of Section 144 CRPC, which prohibits the assembly of more than four people in certain areas.

Earlier, on April 5, Section 144 was imposed in Ladakh’s Leh following the ongoing protest. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jammu Kashmir National Front Banned For 5 Years Under UAPA

Categories
-Top News India News PAKISTAN

India Hits Back at Pakistan’s UN Allegations on Jammu and Kashmir

Anupama Singh said that it is deeply unfortunate for the Council’s platform to have once again been “misused” to make patently false accusations against India…reports Asian Lite News

Responding to Pakistan’s allegations about Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, India, exercising its right to reply, said that Islamabad has no locus standi to comment on our internal matters.

During the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, India’s first secretary said Anupama Singh, rejecting Pakistan’s allegations, said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral and inalienable part of India”.

The Indian diplomat said, “A country that has a truly abysmal human rights record, which institutionalised the systemic persecution of its own minorities, commenting on India, which is demonstrably making great strides in achieving economic progress and social justice, is not merely ironical but perverse.”

Anupama Singh said that it is deeply unfortunate for the Council’s platform to have once again been “misused” to make patently false accusations against India.

Accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism globally she charged that the country is supporting UNSC-sanctioned terrorists.

ALSO READ-Journalists Gather in Islamabad, Seek Justice for Asad Ali Toor

Categories
India News

Jan was driest, warmest in J&K in 43 years

This is the highest mean maximum temperature for the month of January for these stations in the past 43 years, the MeT centre said in a post on X…reports Asian Lite News

Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar city, witnessed the warmest January in 43 years, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar’s data said.

In terms of snowfall or rains, Srinagar city witnessed the second driest January in the past four decades, recording a mere 3.0 mm of precipitation in the month this year, it said.

The lowest precipitation in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir was recorded in January 2018 when only 1.2 mm of rainfall or snow took place.

According to data, the mean Tmax (maximum temperature) recorded in January over Srinagar station was 11.9 degrees Celsius while for Gulmarg in north Kashmir and Banihal in Ramban district, it was 5.7 degrees Celsius and 16.9 degrees Celsius respectively.

Jammu city recorded the lowest mean maximum temperature for the first month of the year in over four decades, it said.

This is the highest mean maximum temperature for the month of January for these stations in the past 43 years, the MeT centre said in a post on X.

“2024 January was one of the driest and warmest January in the last 43 years for most of the stations of J-K except the stations of plains of Jammu (Jammu, Samba and Kathua),” it added.

It said Jammu station, on the other hand, observed a mean maximum temperature of 13.4 degrees Celsius in January, which is the lowest since 1983.

The mean minimum temperature for January observed over Srinagar, Jammu, Gulmarg and Banihal were minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, 5.5 degrees Celsius, minus 3.9 degrees Celsius and 0.1 degrees Celsius respectively.

“The 2024 mean Tmin is one of the highest for Gulmarg in the last 43 years,” the MET centre said.

ALSO READ-Security Beefed Up in Jammu Ahead of R-Day

Categories
India News Jammu & Kashmir

India Bans Faction of Muslim League Jammu Kashmir

The MHA issued a notification declaring that the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), referred to as the MLJK-MA, chaired by Masarat Alam Bhat, is known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday declared the ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’ MLJK-M as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act with immediate effect for the next five years, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that “anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law”.

The MHA issued a notification declaring that the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), referred to as the MLJK-MA, chaired by Masarat Alam Bhat, is known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda.

The Ministry’s action against the group followed input that “the objectives of MLJK-MA are to get freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India so as to realise the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years,” reads the notification.

Soon after the notification was issued, the Home Minister took to ‘X’, formerly Twitter, mentioning that “the ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA.”

“This organization and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. The PM @narendramodi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law,” Amit Shah posted on ‘X’.

As per the MHA notification, the members of the MLJK-MA have been indulging in the secessionist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir, and the leaders and members of the group have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The notification points that the MLJK-MA and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country; and its leaders and members, particularly its Chairman Masarat Alam Bhat, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country.

The MHA said there had been a number of inputs showing linkages of the MLJK-MA with banned terrorist organisations; as well as the MLJK-MA and its members have been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the state, and its anti-national activities also show disrespect and disregard to the constitutional authority and sovereignty of the state, hence an immediate and prompt action is required against the organisation.

“The Central government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), it will use this opportunity to continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country; continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India; and

continue propagating false narratives and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order,” mentions the notification.

Noting these reasons, the notification says, the Central government is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), it is necessary to declare the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an ‘unlawful association’ with immediate effect. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Defence Ministry Inks Deal for 6 Coast Guard Patrol Vessels

Categories
India News Politics

RS clears 2 landmark J&K Bills

New Delhi, Dec 11 (ANI): Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)

Apart from these, Rajya Sabha MPs Laxmikant Bajpayee, Vivek Tankha and Jayant Chaudhary are to present the Two Hundred and Fifty-Second Report (in English and Hindi) of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation on the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 in the House…reports Asian Lite News

After the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2023 by the Rajya Sabha, which followed the Supreme Court upholding the revocation of Article 370 from the erstwhile state, the Upper House has more businesses lined for Tuesday as the Parliament reconvenes for the ongoing Winter Session.

Both Houses are scheduled to take up important businesses on the ninth day of the Winter Session, as Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is to move the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, and the procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission.

Meghwal will also move the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday for consideration and passage to repeal certain enactments and amend an enactment. The Bill was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha.

Apart from these, Rajya Sabha MPs Laxmikant Bajpayee, Vivek Tankha and Jayant Chaudhary are to present the Two Hundred and Fifty-Second Report (in English and Hindi) of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation on the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 in the House.

Fellow Upper House members Satish Chandra Dubey and Fauzia Khan are to lay on the table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2023-2024) on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the Twenty Eighth Report of the Committee on “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)” pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food and Public Distribution).

Later into the session, BJP MPs Sudhanshu Trivedi and Krishan Lal Panwar are to table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following statements of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy:- (i) Final action taken by the government on observations/recommendations contained in Chapter-I of the Thirty-Seventh Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy on the action taken by the government on observations/recommendations contained in its Twenty-First Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on ‘Financial Constraints in the Renewable Energy Sector’.

Final action taken by the government on observations/recommendations contained in Chapter-I of the Thirty-Eighth Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy on the Action Taken by the Government on observations/recommendations contained in its Twenty-Seventh Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on ‘Evaluation of Wind Energy in India’ will also be tabled by the two BJP members. (ANI)

ALSO READ-18 crucial Bills listed for winter session