Barring Gulmarg & Pahalgam, Night Temp Drops In J&K

Srinagar, Mar 16: Barring Gulmarg and Pahalgam, night temperature recorded drop in Jammu and Kashmir even as the weatherman has forecast generally dry weather till March 20.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 1.2°C against 1.7°C on the previous night which was below normal by 2.5°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.1°C against 2.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against minus 3.1°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 1.9°C against 2.3°C on the previous night and it was 0.6°C below normal, the official said.

Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.1°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 11.1°C and it was below normal by 2.9°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 3.0°C, Batote 6.3°C and Bhaderwah 3.6°C, he said.

While largely dry weather has been forecast till March 20, the weatherman said that a fresh spell of rain and snow was expected in J&K thereafter till March 24. (GNS)

ACB arrests JE RDD for accepting bribe

Srinagar, Mar 15 (KNO): Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said to have trapped and arrested J.E of Rural development department for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 5000 from complainant for processing and preparing bill of the work executed by the complainant.

As per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an information was received by Anti Corruption Bureau J&K on ACB Helpline Number 9419678060 from one complainant resident of village Kunnel Qaziabad, Handwara District Kupwara alleging that he has executed some work under MG-NREGA and for preparing & processing the Bill of said work & for preparing labour demand J.E Arshid Ayoub Marazi & GR Suboor Mir are demanding bribe of Rs 5000 & Rs 3000 from him as their commission etc.

“On receipt of this information a discreet verification into the matter was conducted by ACB to ascertain the veracity of allegations during which it was found that the complainant a resident of village Kunnel Panchayat Halqa Rangpath B Dist. Kupwara was authorized last year by panchayat to execute two developmental works title (A) Improvement of road from Chainag to Ashoponor. (B) Filling and leveling of grave yard near Jamia Masjid Kunnel & that the complainant had completed both the works for which department initially give him some amount under labour head but full labour payment was not given to him,” the statement said.

It was also found that on completion of the works complainant (contractor) requested J.E concerned to prepare the bill of both the works but JE concerned demanded bribe of RS 5000 as commission & it was also found that GRS was also demanding bribe of Rs 3000 from complainant as his commission for preparing labour demand .Discreet probe also reveal that both these officials use to take bribe from complainant through m-pay as well as cash on earlier occasions also & were demanding more bribe for final bill & labour demand .As complainant was not interested in paying birbe to these officials he accordingly approached ACB through helpline number & with written complaint subsequently. Under these circumstances the complainant approached ACB and requested for legal action against both these officials JE as well as GRS for demanding bribe from him, the statement added.

Accordingly on the basis of the findings & recommendation of the Verifying Officer dated 14.03.2024, prima facie offence U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC were made out against accused Public servants namely Arshid Ayoub Marazi, JE & GR Suboor Mir both officials of Rural Development Department Kralgund Handwara for demanding & accepting bribe from complainant for processing/preparing his Bill & putting demand for remaining labour payments case FIR No 02-2024 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC was registered at PS ACB Baramulla & investigations were initiated,” the statement said .

During the course of investigation a trap team was constituted which laid a successful trap and caught the accused JE red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of ₹5000 from complainant. The bribe money was later recovered from possession of accused as well as one shopkeeper to whom he has given the money in presence of independent witnesses .The accused public servants was arrested on the spot after completing all legal formalities. The role of GRS & other officials in case is being investigated,” it said, adding that further investigation in the case is going on—(KNO)

J&K Government dismisses an employees for anti-national activities

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday dismissed an employee namely Mr. Manzoor Ahmed Laway, Teacher in Education Department S/o Mohammad Yaqoob Laway R/o Manzgam, DH Pora, District Kulgam under Article 311 of the Constitution of India for his involvement in anti-national activities. Article 311 of the Constitution of India provides for dismissal of a person employed in civil capacities under Union or a State.

The activities of the employee had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found him involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, such as involvement in terror related activities.

Mr. Manzoor Ahmed Laway is involved in two (2) FIRs registered at Police Station DH Pora, Kulgam and was one of the instigator who along with his associates instigated a mob on 09.07.2016 to cause damage and destruction to Government property and in the process, the mob marched towards Police Station DH Pora and looted Arms, Ammunition and other Government Property from Police Station and later set the Police Station on Fire. In another incident on 10.09.2016, the subject along with his associates led an unruly mob which resorted to stone pelting on joint party of Police and security forces in which armed gunmen from amongst the mob fired indiscriminately upon the police party.

Manzoor Ahmed Laway as Teacher had the responsibility to guide the students not to indulge in activities directed against the security of the state and when the subject is himself instrumental in fomenting secessionism among the student fraternity, then his role as a teacher does not serve the purpose for which he has been appointed to Government service.

Government has adopted a Zero tolerance policy towards anti-national elements who have been taking advantage of being in Government service. Prior to this, 56 government officials have been dismissed by invoking the provisions of Article 311 of Constitution of India.