New Delhi, Dec 9: J&K National Conference MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo on Tuesday alleged in the Rajya Sabha that hydro-power project developers in Jammu and Kashmir are violating the agreed terms by not employing local people, and sought an inquiry into the issue.

During the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Kichloo said hydropower is the primary source of electricity for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and state-owned NHPC is developing some projects, while others are built by Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDC).

He alleged that hydro-power project developers are failing to meet their local employment obligations. He further alleged that there is a violation of the agreement (by the developer with the state).

He raised the issue of improper rehabilitation of the displaced people and said police complaints are being lodged against people for speaking out, and demanded an inquiry into the issue by a special committee.

He said the four hydro projects being built on the Chenab River are Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kiru, and Kwar.

BJD MP Sasmit Patra demanded the upgradation of Rangeilunda airstrip into a full-fledged, equipped Berhampur airport in Ganjam district of Odisha. He said it is no longer a regional aspiration but a national economic necessity.

BJP MP Sanjay Seth urged the government to tweak the rules of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) scheme to provide 10 per cent of funds for the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

BJP MP Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde demanded that the government include Hemlibra medicine in the list of essential drugs. Hemlibra is used to prevent or reduce bleeding in patients with Haemophilia A.

BJP MP Sangeeta Yadav made the case for setting up family care centres across the country, which could serve as homes for the elderly and orphaned children. She stated that the ‘family care system’ should be implemented nationally.

Congress MP Neeraj Dangi demanded that Rajasthani be included as an official language under Article 345 of the Constitution of India and in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

BJP MP Maya Naroliya demanded that the name of train number 11720-Jabalpur Raipur Express Intercity Express be changed to Acharya Vidyasagar Intercity Train or Mook Maati Intercity Train.

BJP MP Sikander Kumar urged the government to promote startups, skill development, and other vocational training in Himachal Pradesh so that the youth do not have to migrate to other states for employment.

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In the first incident, Mohammad Iqbal Wani (43), son of Late Abdul Latief Wani, fell from the tin rooftop of a mosque at Sarbghani village in Ramsoo while carrying out repair work. He was rushed to Sub District Hospital (SDH) Banihal but was declared dead on arrival.

In another tragedy at Chapanari, Banihal, Sajjad Ahmad Naik (27), son of Rehmatullah Naik, slipped into a deep gorge while cutting grass. He was initially treated at SDH Banihal and referred to GMC Anantnag for advanced care. However, he succumbed to his injuries en route near Qazigund.

Meanwhile, at Chang Mall in Neel area of Banihal, a nomadic Bakarwal identified as Mohammad Riaz, son of Mohammad Chandi of Mandora Naar, Awantipora (Pulwama district), was attacked by a bear while grazing cattle along the Banihal–Verinag forest belt. He sustained grievous injuries and, after receiving first aid at SDH Banihal, was shifted to GMC Anantnag for specialized treatment, including diagnostic scans.

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Doda/Jammu, Sep 14: Authorities on Sunday restored broadband internet services in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district where the situation started returning to normal after nearly one-week long restrictions following detention of sitting AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, officials said.

Malik, who is also president of AAP’s J-K unit, was detained on September 8 for allegedly disturbing public order in the district. His detention sparked violent protests, following which authorities imposed prohibitory restrictions and snapped mobile internet and broadband services.

The restrictions on the movement of people were eased for six hours from Saturday noon after Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Shridhar Patil along with Deputy Commissioner, Doda Harvinder Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Kumar Mehta held a meeting with civil society members, including representatives of traders and transporters.

The representatives were assured that restrictions would be progressively eased out starting immediately, the officials said.

The reopening of shops in the market, resumption of transport services, restoration of broadband and mobile internet services and the reopening of schools will be carried out in a phased manner after assessing the ground situation, the officers had said.

Broadband internet services were restored, while additional forces were removed from the markets which opened this morning, the officials said.

At the meeting, the representatives of Beopar Mandal, Transport Association and others assured their active support and cooperation to the district administration in maintaining public order and requested for phase-wise lifting of restrictions imposed under section 163 BNSS, so that government and private business may run smoothly and the general public feels relieved.

The representatives highlighted that the general public suffered significant losses in the recent flood-like situation in the district and people have high hopes from the government in this time of distress. They pushed for immediate restoration of services including Internet, transport, while stressing on the opening of schools and the market, the officials said.

The officials said the civil society representatives assured their active support and cooperation to the administration in bringing the situation back on track.

The DIG commended the role and support of the general public of Doda and other stakeholders in maintaining peace and order in the district by foiling the attempts of disturbing public order.

However, he stressed upon the participants, particularly the business community, to activate the CCTV cameras and ensure their functionality so that activities of trouble creators could be monitored.

He sought cooperation and responsibility of the transport association, shopkeepers to keep an eye on miscreants and trouble creators which includes sensitization of drivers, labourers and workers connected with the business activities.

The deputy commissioner assured the meeting that the issues of the public related to supply of essential commodities shall be addressed in 24 hours.

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Doda, Sep 12: Security was heightened in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, even as an uneasy calm prevailed over the mountainous region after authorities clamped prohibitory restrictions for the fourth consecutive day.

Several people have been detained in Doda following violent clashes between security forces and protestors agitating against the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) earlier this week. The Doda MLA, who was arrested for disturbing the public order, was later lodged in Kathua jail.

On Wednesday evening, police had held a peace committee meeting chaired by Deputy Inspector General of Police Shridhar Patil to expedite restoration of peace and normalcy in the region.

Prohibitory orders remained in force in Doda and Bhalessa towns, where mobile internet and Wi-Fi services continued to remain suspended as a precautionary measure.

“The situation remained calm overnight with no fresh protests. However, elaborate security measures are in place, with heightened security in sensitive areas,” said an official.

The security has been beefed up and patrolling intensified in Doda town in view of the Friday prayers, he said.

The deployment was strengthened around Doda town, Bhaderwah, Gandoh and Thathri amid high tensions over alleged administrative high-handedness. Concertina wires were installed near government offices to prevent untoward incidents.

Police vehicles patrolled the area, making announcements urging residents to stay indoors.

In Bhaderwah town nevertheless, a semblance of normalcy prevailed with shops and business establishments operating on Friday.

DIG Shridhar Patil assured people that the situation is almost under control. “We want to tell the people of Chenab Valley that the situation is by and large under control. Efforts are on to bring back complete normalcy. We are moving towards that,” the DIG told reporters on Thursday night.

He said around 40 citizens from Doda city and surrounding areas participated in discussions at the meeting, during which they shared valuable suggestions.

“I want to thank the people of Doda for their cooperation in ensuring peace. We had detained 60-70 people during the incident; several of them have been released on bonds. There are no casualties,” he said.

The district saw protests and violent clashes on Monday and Wednesday as protesters tried to defy restrictions, prompting the security personnel to resort to baton charges at several places. Several protesters were detained, while some of them were released later.

Eight police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police and a station house officer, were reportedly injured during the clashes.

The chief education officer has ordered that all schools in the district will remain closed until Sunday. The business establishments would also remain shut.

Describing Malik as a government critic, the district administration said his arrest was based on “provocative speeches and abusive language” on social media, allegedly aimed at disturbing peace.

In the meantime, Malik’s father Shamas Din Malik has appealed for his son’s release, stating he no longer wished to pursue the matter in courts. “I want my son back. I met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said he would see what he could do,” he said.

Shamas Udin, who was briefly hospitalised after collapsing from weakness and stress following his son’s detention, apologised for the language used by his son and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to facilitate his release.

The AAP has accused the Central government of targeting the party politically. At a protest in Jammu, AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday condemned the arrest, stating the party would continue its struggle “against injustice on the streets, in Parliament, and if necessary, in the Supreme Court.”

On Thursday, high drama unfolded at Circuit House in Srinagar as former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was prevented from meeting AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who was detained on the premises to prevent him from protesting against Malik’s arrest.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday night described the situation in Doda as “deeply disturbing,” criticising the administration’s handling of the unrest.

“An internet blackout has been imposed, schools have been shut, and curfew has been enforced in Doda district. Alarming reports suggest that roads are being deliberately blocked, depriving people of their fundamental right to movement,” she said.

This is the first time a sitting MLA in Jammu and Kashmir has been taken into custody under the stringent law, which allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases.

The post No fresh protests, but security heightened in Doda; prohibitory orders still in place appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Sources said the explosion took place in the vicinity of a house belonging to Javeed Ahmed and Muzaffar Ahmed, triggering alarm among locals. Soon after, a Special Operations Group (SOG) team and other police personnel rushed to the spot to investigate the incident.

Two individuals have been detained for questioning, though police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the nature of the blast or possible suspects.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Doda following protests over the detention of MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Authorities have already imposed restrictions across the district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to maintain law and order.

Further details are awaited as investigations continue.

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Jammu, Sep 10: AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday condemned as “illegal” and “unconstitutional” the detention of party MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, and accused the authorities of misusing a law intended for terrorists against an elected representative.

Malik, who is also the president of the J-K unit of AAP, was detained on Monday under the stringent law for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district and was subsequently lodged in Kathua district jail.

“This (slapping PSA against Malik) is illegal and unconstitutional. It is an attempt to silence the voice of an elected member. Slapping PSA is hundred percent wrong,” Singh, who arrived here with senior AAP leader Imran Hussain, told reporters.

Singh said, “The section used against terrorists has been slapped on an elected member for raising voice for the people of his constituency. It is very wrong.”

“We will fight this injustice on the streets, in Parliament, and, if necessary, in the Supreme Court,” he said while accusing the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting the AAP by employing repressive tactics.

“They have previously jailed Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and even me. Today, Mehraj Malik has been imprisoned,” he said.

The AAP leader said they are in Jammu to meet with party workers and strategise the next steps in their protest against “political victimisation”.

At least eight police personnel, including two officers, were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Doda as demonstrations were held in the district and other places in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday against the detention of Malik.

The post Malik’s detention under PSA unconstitutional: AAP MP Sanjay Singh appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The arch of these restrictions has been widened to Bhaderwah valley, with all shops and business establishments shut in the town.

At least eight police personnel, including two officers, were injured in the clashes on Tuesday. Demonstrations erupted after Malik was detained under the PSA and lodged in Kathua jail for allegedly disturbing public order.

“The situation is peaceful. There are no reports of any untoward incidents from anywhere,” a police officer said, adding there are no reports of fresh protests in the district.

Authorities in Doda district on Tuesday imposed prohibitory restrictions in view of apprehensions of breach of peace, law and order concerns, and possible unlawful assemblies.

Additional District Magistrate Doda, Anil Kumar Thakur, issued an order stating that the assembly of four or more persons is prohibited across the district until further orders.

The order further directs that no individual shall deliver provocative speeches, raise slogans, or display gestures that may disrupt peace and communal harmony. Carrying lathis or sharp-edged weapons in public has also been banned.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, has been instructed to ensure strict enforcement of these restrictions in both letter and spirit.

Officials warned that any violation of the prohibitory order will invite punitive action under relevant provisions of law.

As a result, shops and business establishments remained closed in Doda and Bhaderwah towns besides other towns, and traffic remained thin on the roads. Locals reported internet slowdowns, but district authorities denied any restrictions, attributing issues to technical restoration work.

Additional security personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas of the district, including Bhaderwah, Gandoh, Bhalessa, Chilli Pingal, Kahara, and Thathri, officials said.

Protests also rocked Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, and Kishtwar. The National Conference, PDP, and People’s Conference condemned Malik’s detention, calling it an “assault on democracy.”

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that Malik posed no threat and termed the PSA detention “wrong.” 

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In an update, the department said traffic is plying normally on the Mughal Road and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road in line with the advisory. However, the Sinthan Road continues to remain closed for traffic.

Authorities have advised commuters to check the latest road status on the official Twitter handle and Facebook page of J&K Traffic Police before planning their journey.

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An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that that rescue teams have been rushed to the affected area, and operations are underway to trace the missing persons.

“Three bodies have been recovered so far, and five individuals remain unaccounted for. The sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods, causing damage to property and disrupting normal life in the area,” he said.

He added that efforts are being made to provide immediate relief to the families of the victims, while search and rescue operations continue—(KNO)

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