First high-level review of Lok Sabha elections in J&K on Dec 1

All 20 DCs, SSPs to join meeting virtually

Voters for Parl polls may touch 9 millions

Jammu, Nov 29: First high-level review of arrangements for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in April-May next year will be held on December 1 with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Pole interacting virtually with all 20 Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Jammu and Kashmir with focus on requirements of EVMs, VVPATs, appointment of Nodal Officers, their training etc and security requirements.

The Special Summary Revision of Jammu and Kashmir is also in the final stage and number of electorates is expected to be around nine millions for five seats of Lok Sabha, officials told the Excelsior, saying that final rolls are likely to be published on January 8, 2024.

This will be first high-level review of arrangements for Lok Sabha elections by the CEO in which senior officers of his office and all 20 Deputy Commissioners, who act as District Elections Officers, and SSPs, responsible for security arrangements of the candidates and polling booths, will join virtually.

“All issues pertaining to the Lok Sabha elections will be discussed in the meeting,’’ the officials said, adding that the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs are likely to project their requirements pertaining to staff, security personnel etc.

Jammu and Kashmir has five Parliamentary seats including Jammu-Rajouri, Udhampur-Doda, Srinagar-Budgam, Baramulla-Kupwara and South Kashmir-Poonch. Presently, three seats are held by the National Conference and two by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Elections in J&K are likely to be held in five phases with one Lok Sabha seat each going to polls in one phase. This is done to rotate security forces from one Lok Sabha seat to another as the Central Government, mainly the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, is not in a position to provide additional forces as Parliamentary polls are held across the country. However, some companies of paramilitary forces may be given to Jammu and Kashmir to ensure peaceful polling.

Officials said electorates of Jammu and Kashmir could be around nine million for Lok Sabha elections though exact figure will be known on January 8 when final electoral rolls will be published after completion of Special Summary Revision ordered by the Election Commission of India.

“Requirements of total number of EVMs, VVPATs etc are likely to be discussed at the meeting besides appointment of Nodal Officers, training of staff etc,’’ they added and said sufficient number of such machines are available while more can be given by the Election Commission depending on number of polling stations to be set up for Lok Sabha polls.

As per the officials, numbers of the polling booths will be finalized in consultations with the District Election Officers after some time.

Number of electorates in Jammu and Kashmir had gone up to 83.59 lakh when Special Summary Revision was carried out and final electoral rolls were published on November 25 last year. The numbers further went up to 8.5 million when the Special Summary Revision was undertaken by the Election Commission this year and final rolls were published on May 27.

The delimitation exercise concluded on May 5, 2022 by the Panel when it unveiled the final electoral map of J&K. Jammu & Kashmir is without an elected Government for almost five and half year years now.

In the Special Summary Revision undertaken after Delimitation exercise, final rolls were published on November 25, 2022. In second Special Summary Revision, final rolls were published on May 27, 2023.

The erstwhile State is under the Central rule from June 19, 2018 when BJP withdrew support to Mehbooba Mufti-led Government, citing “deteriorating security situation” in J&K.–(Agencies)

Case Registered Against NIT Student for Posting Hurtful Video-clip On Social-media’l

Srinagar, Nov 28 (GNS): Following reports of massive protest by the students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar against the alleged derogatory remarks made by a colleague of different faith against Prophet Muhammad (SAW), a case has been registered into the matter, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi said on Tuesday evening.

Birdi while speaking about the incident said that upon receiving the information about the incident and a written letter from the registrar of NIT campus for seeking legal action, they have taken action under relevant laws and have set an investigation into motion.

“This evening police received information about a protest at NIT campus and upon investigation it surfaced that a student had posted a video on social media which had hurt the sentiments of people, especially religious sentiments”, IGP Kashmir said.

The video-clip, the police officer, said it wasn’t the student’s own but was posted by some Youtuber (an online video sharing and social media platform).

Earlier on Tuesday evening protests’ were reported from NIT Campus after students noticed the social media post. (GNS)

Wular Lake to be promoted as Kashmir’s premier tourism destination: Sec Tourism

Enhancing Tourism at Lake will contribute to economic prosperity of local population

Sajid Raina

Bandipora, Nov 28 (KNO): Secretary Tourism Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah Tuesday assured that Wular Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia, will be promoted as the premier tourism destination of Kashmir.

Talking to media persons after chairing a public Darbar at Sumbal-Sonwari in northern district of Bandipora, Shah, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), emphasized that Wular Lake is poised to become a significant tourism destination, with the government contemplating various events.

He assured the people of Bandipora that multiple initiatives will be implemented at Wular Lake to preserve its importance and tourism potential. He added that enhancing tourism at Wular will also contribute to the economic prosperity of the local population.

“In rural tourism, particular emphasis will be placed on Homestays and other tourism-related activities, catering specifically to Bandipora district, given its immense potential for tourism and rich cultural heritage,” he added—(KNO)

Woman dies after delivering baby at DH Bla, family alleges murder

MS assures thorough probe, says guilty ‘will not be spared’

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Nov 28 (KNO): A woman died after giving birth at District Hospital Baramulla in north Kashmir, with her family alleging medical negligence. However, the Medical Superintendent has assured a thorough investigation, saying that those responsible will not be spared.

The family of the deceased woman, Dilshada Akhter (32), a resident of Khadniyar, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that she passed away after delivering a baby. They claim that despite repeated requests, doctors at the district hospital ignored Dilshada’s condition after she gave birth at 10:30 am on Monday.

Alleging that she was not properly cared for, the family said that Dilshada fought for her life from 10:30 am until 1 o’clock midnight. They alleged that the hospital staff remained engrossed in their cell phones instead of attending to her.

“It was a murder,” alleged the deceased woman’s sister, who witnessed the entire distressing incident. She urged authorities to investigate the matter to prevent further loss of lives.

Expressing shock, she called on the authorities to address negligence issues and “prioritise the welfare of society”. Many people fear visiting government hospitals due to perceived safety concerns, she said.

The Medical Superintendent of GMC Baramulla, Dr Parvaiz Masoodi said that a thorough investigation would be conducted. “If anyone is found responsible for any wrongdoing, they will face strict legal consequences,” he assured—(KNO)