SPO families demand justice: ‘Struggling to afford education and basic necessities’

Srinagar Nov 14: Families of Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Jammu and Kashmir have raised their voices, demanding justice and better living conditions as they grapple with financial hardships.

Despite their critical role in maintaining law and order, many SPOs and their families say they are struggling to afford basic necessities, including education for their children.

Talking to media at Srinagar’s Pratap Park according to news agency KINS, the families shared the challenges they face due to low salaries and the lack of welfare benefits.

“Our children are forced to drop out of schools because we cannot afford the fees. We live a hand-to-mouth existence, and even affording basic needs like food and healthcare has become a challenge,”one of family members of an SPO said.

SPOs in J&K are recruited on a temporary basis and are often paid meager salaries compared to regular police personnel. Many have demanded a revision of their pay structure, better job security, and benefits such as healthcare and education support for their families.

One of the key demands raised they raised was the implementation of a comprehensive welfare scheme for SPOs and their families. “Our loved ones risk their lives every day to ensure peace in the region. It’s disheartening that their sacrifices are not recognized with adequate financial and social support,” a wife of an SPO said.

They urged the government to address their grievances urgently. They also called for a permanent policy that ensures fair wages, job stability, and access to basic amenities for SPO families.

Many SPOs fear that without significant policy interventions, their hardships will persist, leaving their children and future generations in despair.–(KINS)

Amit Shah to chair high-level security meeting on J-K on December 19

New Delhi, Dec 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to chair a high-level security meeting in the national capital on December 19, official sources said on Saturday.

The officials, privy to the development, told ANI that the meeting will primarily focus on critical security issues, with a special emphasis on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha will also attend the meeting, which aims to review strategies to ensure peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director, of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Senior Army Officers including Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of CAPFs, Chief Secretary, DGP of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers are expected to attend the meeting which is being arranged almost five months after Shah chaired a similar high-level review meeting on security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir here in the national capital on June 16.

The meeting is significant in terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government’s committed to set an example by cracking down on terrorists through innovative means.

In the previous meeting, the Home Minister had directed security agencies to replicate the successes achieved in Kashmir valley through an area domination plan and zero terror plan in the Jammu division.
Shah had also directed all security agencies in earlier meetings to work in a mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner. He had then also emphasised on seamless coordination amongst the security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas and addressing the security concerns of such areas.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, the Home Minister has reiterated on many occasions that “the government will leave no stone unturned in rooting out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.”–(ANI)

Weather Update for Jammu & Kashmir: December 14-21, 2024

Issued by: MET Centre Srinagar
Date: 14 December 2024

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a weather update and advisory for the coming week, highlighting mostly dry weather conditions with some cloud cover over Jammu & Kashmir.

Forecast Details:

• 14th December: Generally dry weather.
• 15th December: Generally cloudy skies.
• 16th – 18th December: Generally dry weather.
• 19th – 21st December: Generally cloudy conditions with mainly dry weather.

Advisory ⚠️

1. Cold Wave Alert:
   • A cold wave is expected to persist over many stations during the next 3 days.
   • Residents are advised to take precautions to protect against extreme cold.
2. Travel Advisory:
   • In view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures, and icy road conditions, particularly over important passes and higher reaches, tourists, travellers, and transporters are strongly advised to:
     • Follow administrative and traffic advisories.
     • Exercise caution while travelling to snow-prone areas.

General Precautions:

• Stay updated with the latest weather bulletins.
• Ensure proper winter gear and vehicle preparedness for snowy and icy roads.
• Travelers to hill stations and remote areas must plan their trips carefully to avoid disruptions.

For more information, visit the official MET Centre Srinagar updates or follow local advisories.

Stay safe and prepared as winter conditions prevail across the region

GMC Baramulla MBBS students protest, demand amendments in reservation policy

‘Restore SRO 49, remove Rule 17, reassess EWS categories’

Baramulla, Dec 13 (KNO): MBBS students of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla protested on Friday against recent amendments to the reservation policy and other administrative decisions, demanding justice and fair policies.

The students, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), demanded the restoration of SRO 49, the removal of Rule 17, and the introduction of a Bond Policy for AIQ (All India Quota) students.

Holding placards with messages “Justice for Doctors” and “Eradicate Draconian Rule 17”, the students chanted slogans against “unfair and oppressive policies” which they said jeopardise their future in the medical profession.

“We are not against reservation, but the current policy is not justifiable. If 70% of the population belongs to open merit, then 70% of seats should go to them. Similarly, if 30% of the population falls under the reserved category, they should get 30% of the seats,” said a protesting student.

The students demanded the reinstatement of SRO 49, a regulation they believe ensures fairness for open-merit candidates. “We demand the return of SRO 49, which will provide justice to open merit students who work hard for their seats,” another student added.

Raising concerns about the categorisation under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the protesters alleged discrepancies and misuse. “The government needs to reassess the EWS categories. Many people are taking undue advantage of this category, which is unfair to those who genuinely qualify for it,” one of the students said.

They urged the government to address their concerns immediately—(KNO)

‘One nation, one election’ bill shouldn’t meet Article 370 fate: CM Omar

Says work on clarity in business rules ongoing, to be finalized by Dec end or Jan starting; Darbar Move to be revived, NC Govt to come up with report card after 5 years

Jammu, Dec 13 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the work on business rules to bring clarity in powers is going on and will be finalized by December end or January starting. He also said that the ‘one nation, one election’ bill, when introduced in the parliament, should not meet the fate of Article 370 bill.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Omar said that there should be an open debate on the ‘one nation, one election’ bill and it shall not meet the fate of bills like reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and scrapping Article 370, which happened in 2019.

The ‘one national one election’ bill is likely to be tabled during the current parliament session.

Replying to a query, Omar told the media persons that it has not been tabled in the parliament yet and the National Conference (NC) will sit and decide about it accordingly.

“It has not come before the Parliament yet. It will be debated in the House. The debate should be open; it should not be like what happened during creation of UT (J&K re re-organization act) and Article 370 in 2019, where token debate happened for 2 hours, and the government passed the bills. It should be discussed openly and then parliament will take a decision on it,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “As far as the National Conference is concerned, we will sit and form an opinion on it and tell our MPs how to vote.”

Furthermore, on his promise to restore Darbar Move practice and BJP criticism, Omar said, “The party (BJP) stopped this practice and did injustice with Jammu. BJP claims to be the well-wisher of Dogras and Jammu but they not only stopped Darbar Move practice but even changed the geographical map of Jammu.”

“BJP erased all the footprints and welfare measures instituted by Maharaja Hari Singh for J&K, which includes changing J&K’s map, ending Darbar Move, State Subject Law etc but we will restore all the lost things at the earliest”.

Asked about the clarity on powers in the Union Territory, the Chief Minister said, “The work on framing business rules is going on and we hope that by December end or January 2025 it will be finalized.”

Omar also took a dig at opposition parties and said that the people of J&K gave a mandate to the National Conference to run the government for five years. “We don’t have just five days or five weeks, but we have been elected for five years and the government will come up with its report card after five years of rule,” the Chief Minister said—(KNO)

Smart City: Sgr to get 360 ultra-modern bus stops

‘New bus stops with real-time PIS to enhance public transport, connectivity’

Srinagar, Dec 13 (KNO): As a step forward to enhance the commute in Srinagar City, the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) is going to build ultra-modern bus stops with amenities to inform the passenger about smart city bus movement in the City.

The bus stops will be built with modern technology, and the City is set to witness the addition of 360 ultra-modern bus stops all over Srinagar.

Sharing details about the project, Suhaib Naqshbandi, Operating Managing Director, Smart City E-Buses Srinagar, speaking exclusively with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the smart city is planning to build 360 ultra-modern bus stops in Srinagar city with enhanced and modern technology.

He said this is an ultra-modern bus stop with all amenities and will inform the passenger about the departure and arrival of buses. “The newly coming bus stops will feature a Passenger Information System (PIS) and will show the real-time location of the smart city bus. The bus stop is going to have a monitor display to show the real-time information of buses and the entire route maps of the city where the buses ply,” he said.

About the bus stops in Srinagar city, the Managing Director said the bus stops are coming from a proper public transport study and the demand of the public, and these bus stops have been identified.

He added the work on these bus stops will probably start next month as the constant surveys are going on, and hopefully, the work will begin soon. About the project cost, he said, “We have not yet arrived at a cost, but it will include modern bus stops.”

He said the execution of the first bus stop where work will be started has not been finalized yet, but the priority will be on the existing 16 routes of smart buses. Most probably, the MA Road at Lal Chowk might be the first site.

It is worth mentioning that the Srinagar Smart City project includes a fleet of electric buses that provide a modern public transportation system for Srinagar. The project includes electric buses operating within Srinagar and connecting it to other districts—(KNO)