To reform the educational ecosystem and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the largest single addition of education capacity in 70 years was done with new 25000 seats in 50 new colleges in one year only.

Under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the present administration is creating one of the country’s best infrastructures for higher education.

“Two colleges of architecture and One engineering college were also established. In addition, IIT and IIM were established in record time,” official documents said.

The Government is bringing reforms to transform the education ecosystem by bridging the gaps and opening up opportunities for the younger generation.

The focus of the Government has been value-based education, creating an environment for individual growth apart from scientific and technological knowledge.

“We are working to create a perfect balance between students and teachers for shaping the young minds through a value-based knowledge system,” the school education department official said.

Speaking at a book launch of “Analysis of Accreditation Reports of Union Territories-Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh” by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during a function organised by NAAC in collaboration with the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha said that the Universities and Colleges have immense power and a small shift in the curriculum can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that the world is heading towards an era in which the knowledge economy will dominate, our biggest asset would be the human capital, a combination of talent, skill, and creativity.

“Our biggest and strongest asset has to be the human capital, a combination of talent, skill, and creativity,” Manoj Sinha said. “The UT government is consistently reforming the educational system with new tools to produce required skill sets.”

The education sector in UT is being reformed to meet the requirements of the rapidly transforming education system and the changing market dynamics. The shift in the curriculum at universities and Colleges can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment of J&K.

An official said that efforts are continuing to improve universities and colleges’ courses to create a conducive environment for learning and innovation to empower every student with technical and social skills to develop entrepreneurial thinking. Highlighting the need to introduce new reforms to meet the requirements of the rapidly transforming education system and the changing market dynamics, the Lieutenant Governor said, “The University and Colleges have immense power, and a small shift in the curriculum can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment”.

With the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, more than 2500 kindergartens were established, and another 2000 were established under Capex Budget. Eighty thousand students are already enrolled in pre-pre-primary classes in 9000 Government primary schools. According to education department statistics, 9643 Government schools from 6th to 8th classes were mapped with adjoining high and higher secondary schools for providing basic skills on vocational courses taught in 803 vocational labs. In addition, every teacher will mentor ten students in primary classes under the Student-Teacher Mentorship initiative launched in J&K, focusing on Foundation and Numerical Literacy.

The condition of the busy Narwal vegetable market in Jammu city will change soon. Various development works are going on fast here. Not only this, the Narwal road connecting Narwal vegetable market and fruit market has also been made of concrete. In a few months, Narwal Mandi will be equipped with facilities.

Various construction works are going on in full swing here. A shed has been made in the market for storing fruits and vegetables. Work on the rest is in progress. Apart from this, the construction of Mandi Plaza is going on. The process of construction of boundary walls and toilets is also being started. Along with providing modern facilities in Narwal Mandi, special arrangements will be made for the traders and farmers.

This vegetable-fruit market of the city is being developed under the Jammu Smart City Mission. Narwal Mandi is the biggest mandi in Jammu and Kashmir, supplying fresh fruits and vegetables. It is to be developed at the cost of about Rs 9.25 crore. Every day about 10 thousand traders and customers move here. A beautiful boundary wall is being built around Narwal Mandi. Apart from this, a three-storey Mandi Plaza will also be built-in Narwal Mandi.

There will be many rooms in which there will be arrangements for the stay of traders and farmers. Likewise, those who bring fruits and vegetables during the night can be accommodated here. Apart from this, arrangements will also be made to park traders’ vehicles here. Apart from this, a canteen is also being made for the food and drink of the visitors, in which food and drink will be made available at low prices.

Toilets and bathrooms with facilities will also be constructed here for those coming to the modern fruit and vegetable market. These toilets to be built under Smart City will be made for the use of men, women, and disabled people. There will also be a room in the toilet for the duty worker. Apart from this, the cleaning system, soap, napkins, and cleaning equipment will also be kept available. This toilet will also be tagged online.

Special care will also be taken for cleanliness in Narwal Mandi. A composting unit will be set up here to dispose of the waste generated from the mandi. The Municipal Corporation will prepare compost from this waste. Jammu Municipal Corporation will see all these arrangements. Apart from this, municipal employees will be deployed for cleanliness here.

“Narwal Mandi is being developed. Its work is going on in full swing. Work is going on on various units. Along with constructing a beautiful boundary wall around the market, a multi-storeyed Mandi Plaza, bathroom and toilet will also be constructed. All kinds of facilities will be given to the traders, farmers, people”, Hitesh Gupta, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City Limited.

A speeding bus rammed a horse cart at Londi Mor on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. The collision was so strong that the woman driving the horse, the horse and a goat child died on the spot, while four others were seriously injured. These women belonging to the Gujjar community were going towards their tent with their family, goods, and cattle. Although the police took the bus driver into custody soon after the accident, the angry Gujjar community members started protesting after this incident with the carcasses of their animals, including the woman, at the same place where the accident took place.

By keeping the movement of vehicles closed on the highway, these people of the Gujjar community were demanding strict action against the driver and compensation. This series of protests went on for a long time. After which, the administration officials reached the spot and assured the community that legal action would be taken against the driver.

According to the information received from the police, this road accident happened at around 6.30 am at Londi More. A bus JK02BB 2787 going from Jammu to Kathua, when it reached Bein Nala bridge near Londi Mor Naka, hit a horse cart. As a result, Bina (27), a woman riding a horse cart, wife Arun Ali, a resident of Chhapar Hiranagar, a child of horse and goat, died on the spot.

The four people who were injured in this accident have been identified as Nusrat (6) daughter Arun Ali, Sudham Hussain (2) son Arun Ali, Qurasha (45) wife Liaquat Ali, Maqmood (65) son Alam Din, all residents of Chappar Mod, Hiranagar as has happened. Soon after the incident, all the injured were taken to the sub-district hospital Hiranagar, undergoing treatment. At the same time, after the post-mortem of the dead body, it was handed over to the relatives. After which, the community people staged a sit-in on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Due to the demonstration, there was a traffic jam on the highway for hours. Amidst the scorching heat, the passengers sitting in the passenger buses also faced a lot of trouble.

Amish Mahajan

Four terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, while two army personnel lost their lives as their vehicle met with an accident on the way to the site of the gunfight, officials said.

On receiving information about the presence of terrorists at Badigam in the Zainapora area of Shopian, security forces launched a cordon and search operation, a police official said.

The terrorists fired upon the forces during the search operation led to an encounter.

In the exchange of fire, four militants were killed, the official said, adding their identity and group affiliation were ascertained.

Also, two army personnel were killed and as many others injured when their vehicle met with an accident while on the way to the encounter site, the official said.“An army party of 44 Rashtriya Rifles was in a Sumo going towards the encounter site at Badigam Zainapora. The vehicle turned turtle near Chowgam Shopian due to which two army members personnel died, and two got injured,” he said.

On Wednesday, an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) team arrested three employees, including two junior engineers of Kashmir Urja Vitran Nigam Limited (KPDCL), for accepting a bribe of Rs 2.6 lakh.

Also Read: SP Traffic Issues Important Advisory for School Buses: Details Here

An ACB spokesperson said that a resident of Goffbal Kunjar, Tangmarg under District Baramulla, had lodged a complaint that his father had a small factory at Gofabal Kunjar. He has been running this factory since 2014. He had applied to AEE Tangmarg in November 2021 to increase the power load from 63 kV to 250 kV. For this work, two junior engineers, Masood Ahmed and Ghulam Mohammad Butt and an inspector Abdul Rashid Butt demanded a bribe of Rs 2.6 lakh from him. All of them are working in the Tangmarg Sub Division of KPDCL.

Taking cognizance of the complaint, an inquiry has been conducted. All the allegations were true, and after that, a trap was woven to arrest the bribe seekers. The ACB team caught both junior engineers Masood Ahmed and Ghulam Mohammad Butt and Inspector Abdul Rashid Butt red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2.6 lakh.

All three were apprehended in the presence of impartial and independent witnesses. The bribe amount was also recovered from them. These people also named two assistant engineers at their arrest, Junaid Ahmed Mir and Manzoor Ahmed Bukhari. The assistant engineers’ role is also being probed in this case. Action will also be taken against them if found guilty.

Amish Mahajan

Terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Islam has ordered Kashmiri Hindus living in the valley to leave Kashmir, saying that you believe in Allah and His Messenger Hazrat Mohammad or leave Kashmir, otherwise we will send you to Hell. This threat has been given through a letter to Kashmiri Hindus living in Baramulla, Veervan in North Kashmir. The police registered a case in this connection and started an investigation, but this has created a sense of fear and insecurity among the minorities living in the valley.

Also Read: Home Minister Amit Shah to Visit Jammu Again

Lashkar-e-Islam had made similar threats to Kashmiri Hindus living in Kulgam in August 2016. Veeravan is a transit colony of displaced Kashmiri Pandits who have got government jobs under the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana under rehabilitation in the Valley at Baramulla. About 150-200 Kashmir Hindu families are living in this. Such transit colonies are in almost every district of the plaintiff. Apart from these colonies, there are about 700 families of Kashmiri Hindus who did not migrate from the valley despite the threat of terrorists.

Veervan, a Kashmiri Hindu living in Baramulla Colony, told media that a threatening letter from a terrorist organization called Lashkar-e-Islam had arrived via a post on Tuesday evening itself. This letter was received by the security personnel posted at the colony’s gate, and when it was opened, the decree of an organization called Lashkar-e-Islam was read inside. This spread panic in the entire colony. At the same time, its information was given to the District Deputy Commissioner and the District SSP. The Baramulla police station in charge also came to the colony later and assured to increase the security arrangements. A security squad of SSB is already deployed in the colony. They have built their bunkers around the colony, and CCTV cameras are also installed, but who will guarantee the security outside the colony?

He said that when the news of this letter spread, a woman in the colony had fainted in fear. In this letter written in English, it is said that Kafiro beware. This is the last warning, leave Kashmir or get ready to die. The followers of Allah are watching over you. You people have betrayed the people of Kashmir, and one by one, you will be put to death. Be it Modi or Shah, no one in India will be able to save you. Every Kashmiri Hindu will die. Kashmir is only for those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. Every Kashmiri Hindu is a threat to an Islamic Kashmir. The Qur’an is clear that one who does not believe in Allah and His Messenger deserves to be killed.

With the killing of Nischal Jewelers and Bindru, our brothers have started this work again. Whatever Kashmiri Hindus are in Kashmir, they will be sent to Hell. Kashmiri Muslims should not make infidel their friend, if they do so, they will be killed.

Our people can go to any extent for the freedom of the Muslims of Kashmir from Kafir Hindustan. Our people are everywhere in Kashmir, they are also in the police. So the infidels accept Allah and His Prophet or leave Kashmir or are ready to go to Hell. So we can put you to death whenever we want, and it doesn’t matter if some of us are killed during this time.

Amish Mahajan

Schools in Jammu reopened after two years. In such a situation, the drivers of vehicles transporting students to school and home have been asked by the traffic police to follow the traffic rules. The traffic police have issued an advisory in this regard, asking the school administrators to ensure that children’s lives should not be jeopardized.

Also Read: J&K: Major tragedy averted as Security Forces timely detected IED

According to the advisory, the school staff or guardian of the children should be present on the bus who can handle it. Along with this, buses should not be overloaded. Strict action will be taken if the rules are violated. In the advisory issued by SSP Traffic Kaushal Kumar Sharma, all private and government schools have been instructed to get their buses painted yellow and follow all the directions issued by the Supreme Court for school buses.

 Almost all the schools in the city have put buses to pick up and take their children, which charge a hefty rent every month from the parents of the children in the name of transport. But, unfortunately, some of them are also such schools whose buses are plying in violation of the rules.

“No one will be allowed to play with the lives of school children. If any school vehicles violate traffic rules, action will be taken against them under the law”, Rajpal Manhas, SP Traffic.

These instructions have to be followed-

• The vehicle carrying school children should be yellow.
•  School bus should be written on the front and back of the bus. If the bus is hired, it is mandatory to write on its school duty.
•  There should also be a first aid box on the bus.
•  Speed ​​governors should also be installed in buses.
•  There should be grills on the windows of the buses.
•  A fire extinguisher is also mandatory on the bus.
•  The door of the school bus should be locked.
•  There should be a place to store school bags under the seats.
•  The driver should have at least five years of experience in driving a bus.
•  If the driver has been challaned twice, he cannot drive the school bus.
•  Seat belts are also mandatory on the seats.
•  The school bus should also have its route permit.

Amish Mahajan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to attend the ‘PoJK Sankalp Rally’ in Jammu on May 8, organized by Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum (JKPF), to reiterate the claim over PoJK occupied illegally by Pakistan.

This will be Shah’s second visit to Jammu in less than two months and third in seven months and comes amidst reports that the Central Government proposed to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after completion of delimitation exercise for Assembly constituencies followed by summary revision of electoral rolls.

Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla and Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Arvind Kumar are also visiting Srinagar tomorrow on a two-day visit to review arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage and the situation on the militancy front.

Reliable sources told the Excelsior that Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum is holding a function to recall the sacrifices of PoJK refugees since independence and the rights and compensation given to them by Narendra Modi-led BJP Government which successive previous Governments denied.

While the Government officials were yet to confirm the visit of Amit Shah at the JKPF function named ‘PoJK Sankalp Rally’, reliable sources confirmed that Shah would visit Jammu on May 8 to attend the rally from where a fresh call will be given for liberation of PoJK.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum proposed a grand rally, which Shah will address, in which PoJK refugees not only from J&K but also those who have settled in other States will also be invited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Palli Panchayat in Samba district on April 24 on National Panchayats Day, followed by Shah’s rally on May 8, is seen as the launch of a campaign by the BJP for upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

There have been reports that the Delimitation Commission is likely to submit its report to the Union Law Ministry well before the May 6 deadline after settling claims and objections from political parties, organizations, and individuals.

The delimitation exercise must be followed by mandatory summary revision of electoral rolls, which can take about four months. The summary revision is essential before the Assembly elections as it has not been held in Jammu and Kashmir for the last three years.

Amit Shah visited Jammu on March 18 and 19 to join CRPF’s Raising Day Parade. He also reviewed security arrangements in the Union Territory during his visit.

Shah also undertook a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from October 23 to 26 last year.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla and Director Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar will visit Srinagar tomorrow on a two-day visit to review security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas and militancy-related incidents.

The 43-day pilgrimage will start on June 30 and conclude on August 11, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.

This will be the first high-level review of security and other arrangements for the annual pilgrimage of the Shri Amarnath Ji shrine for the current year.

The administration expects nearly eight lakh pilgrims to come for darshan of the holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir Himalayas during 43 days long yatra.

It may be mentioned here that Shri Amarnath Ji yatra was cut short by at least a fortnight in 2019 ahead of Central Government’s August 5 decisions to abolish the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, bifurcate erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

In 2020 and 2021, the Shri Amarnath yatra was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic and only symbolic yatra was held for Chhari Pujan and conducting other rituals.

Top civil and police administration officers will give a detailed briefing to the visiting Union Home Secretary and the Intelligence Bureau chief about security and other arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.

A major tragedy was averted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district due to the security forces’ timely detection of a powerful improvised explosive device (IED), police said on Wednesday.

According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Doda, Abdul Qayoom, they received the information of a suspicious polythene bag lying along the Ghat road on the outskirts of Doda town on Wednesday late evening.

Following this, the traffic on the road was immediately suspended, and the Special Operations Group of the local police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel reached the spot, along with the bomb disposal squad, the SSP said.

After inspection, they confirmed the presence of an IED inside the bag, he said. The Doda SSP said the experts subsequently neutralised the IED at a nearby isolated place without causing any damage. He further informed that the IED was of small size but had a powerful impact and added that “the timely diffusion of the IED has averted a major tragedy.”

The SSP said after this, the police registered a case and launched a probe to identify those responsible for planting the IED on the road.

With an absolute majority, BJP will form the next Government in Jammu & Kashmir, stated Ravinder Raina, President of J&K BJP.

Ravinder Raina, accompanied by MP Jugal Kishore, Former Dy CM Kavinder Gupta, General Secretary Vibodh Gupta, BJP Leader Devinder Singh Rana, Newly joined BJP Leader Surinder Choudhary, District President Capt Balkrishan, BJP District Prabhari Dinesh Sharma, DDC Sangita Sharma, BDC Neena Sharma, BDC Bodh Raj, BJP Mahila Morcha J&K Vice President. Eena Sharma, Nowshera MC President Narender Sharma, Senior Leader Surinder Anand, Vivekanand, Moore Raj, Mohinder Pal Sudan, Choudhary Ram Choudhary was addressing a BJP Rally at Bus stand, Nowshera.

Ravinder Raina, while addressing the rally, stated that many prominent communities of J&K like Gujjar-Bakerwals, Pahari Tribals suffered for the last 70 years because of selective discrimination by National Conference (NC), Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and now the people in J&K have rejected these parties.

Ravinder Raina said that BJP will win a clear majority in the upcoming Assembly elections of Jammu & Kashmir and will form the Government on its own in the upcoming Assembly elections. However, schemes of the Modi government like free Ration, shelters, and Kissan welfare schemes have benefitted every person irrespective of their community.

He said that the masses, with their love and support, have shown their confidence in the public welfare policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Centre Government, whose efforts are augmented by the dedicated leaders and workers of the J&K BJP. He said that BJP would leave no stone unturned for the development of the far-flung areas of J&K. He said that the region had seen much development on the efforts of the BJP, and the development process will be given unprecedented pace.