Hajj 2024: 475 pilgrims from Ladakh to embark on sacred journey

Srinagar, Dec 05 (KNO): A total of 475 aspiring Hajj pilgrims from Ladakh Union Territory can embark on the sacred journey, as allocated by the Hajj Committee of India for the year 2024, according to officials.

The Hajj Committee of India has opened online applications for all aspiring pilgrims planning to undertake the Hajj journey starting next year. The application window became available on December 4, and the last date for submission is set for December 20.

Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Ali Majaz, Chairperson of Hajj Committee Ladakh Union Territory, said they are ensuring all necessary facilities for the aspirants, and offices across the region have been instructed to facilitate everyone.

Majaz said no fresh guidelines for Hajj next year have been issued as of now, and aspirants should consider the guidelines from the previous year. He urged aspirants to initiate their registration process. “The offices in both Kargil and Leh are available round the clock to assist all aspirants, who can also make use of the online form submission facility from Hajj Committee Ladakh offices,” he said.

The chairperson said that last year there were some issues with the embarkation of a few pilgrims but this year everyone needs to be very cautious to avoid confusion. The aspirants must ensure all required documentation, particularly passports, is available to avoid issues later.

“There is a 15-day gap for the last date of submission and it won’t be easy for us to prepare their passports, but we will help aspirants in every manner,” he added.

Regarding the allocated quota, Majaz said that out of the sanctioned 475, a total of 456 pilgrims undertook the journey last year, achieving 100 percent quota occupancy. Any pilgrims who couldn’t proceed were affected by personal issues such as health, he said.

In case of any fresh guidelines, the chairperson said all relevant information would be communicated accordingly. He assured the people of Ladakh not to worry about the allotted quota and to submit online applications without hesitation—(KNO)

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR

1. From 04-12-2023, 1700 hrs. to 05-12-2023, 1700 hrs., there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 03 HMVs and poor surface condition of road at Dalwas and single lane traffic at Cafeteria- Mehad, Magerkote, Nachlana between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to prefer journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journey during night hours as movement of nomads from Kashmir valley towards Jammu may cause inconvenience to the commuters.

3. HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

4. HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 06-12-2023:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice- versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline.

SFS Convoy Movement:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, Security Forces vehicles shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.

SSG ROAD

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa. LMVS followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 0830 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1300 hrs to 1630 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings.

SFS Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil, shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs. SFS Convoy plying from Drass to Srinagar shall plan their movement in such a manner so that Civil Traffic doesn’t get disturbed.

Mughal Road:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Mughal road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz)and Herpora (Shopian) between 0600 hrs. to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings

ADVISORY:-

People are advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming

status of the road from Traffic control units as under:-

Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103) Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103)‍ Ramban (9419993745) Udhampur (8491928625)

PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) for status of Sinthan Road.

Militancy Case: NIA Conducts Raids Across Jammu and Kashmir, Seizes Digital Devices & Incriminating Data

Srinagar, Dec 5 (GNS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday raided several locations across Jammu & Kashmir in connection with the terror conspiracy hatched and operationalised by the offshoots of the banned Pakistan-backed terrorist organisations including Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda and other associated groups.

An NIA statement in this regard issued to GNS, reads, “Teams of NIA cracked down on eight locations in the seven districts of Poonch, Shopian, Pulwama, Baramula, Ganderbal, Kupwara and Srinagar of the Union Territory of J&K. The locations raided today were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and Overground Workers (OGWs) associated with the newly-formed affiliates and offshoots of the banned terrorist outfits.”

“Extensive searches were also conducted at the premises of the cadres and sympathisers of these newly floated organisations, which included The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULF J&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF, among others”, the statement reads.

“The searches led to the seizure of several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data and documents by the NIA, which has been investigating the conspiracy of the recently launched offshoots of the banned terror outfits to destabilize J&K through violent terrorist attacks and activities”, reads the statement.

“NIA had registered the case (RC-05/2022/NIA/JMU) suo moto on 21st June 2022 to probe the involvement of the cadres, OGWs and other suspects of the new outfits in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs/magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances and arms/ammunition to spread terror, violence and subversion in J&K”, reads the statement.

“NIA investigations so far have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror, and were also using drones to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley. These activities were being carried out as part of the terror conspiracy hatched by the banned outfits, backed by their masters in Pakistan. The conspiracy also involved radicalization of local youth and mobilization of OGWs to carry out violent and disruptive activities in J&K”, the statement reads. (GNS)

Govt ready to hold Assembly polls in J&K; EC to decide: Union minister Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Dec 5: The government is ready to hold Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir whenever the Election Commission (EC) takes a final decision in the matter, Union minister Jitendra Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Intervening in the discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, the minister of state in the prime minister’s office (PMO) said “whenever the EC announces it (Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir), we are ready”.

He said this in response to a demand from opposition parties for holding early Assembly polls in the Union Territory.

“The EC has its own mechanism of gathering inputs according to its requirements and it will take a final call. Let us all trust the wisdom of the EC and not appear to be interfering in its functioning,” Singh added.

He further said democracy must reach the grass-root level and in the future, “we will do” what is in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh blamed Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, for the Kashmir problem.

He further said the Congress should be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that provided a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh said a series of measures have been taken to ensure development in the Union Territory.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah wanted to know from the BJP-led Centre why Assembly polls are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir.

Participating in the discussion, Congress leader Manish Tewari also sought to know about the election and when statehood would be restored in Jammu and Kashmir.

He wondered that at a time when the treasury benches are claiming that normalcy has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir, “why elections” are not being held.

Tewari further said constitutional proprietary demands that the government should refrain from coming up with these legislations as a matter related to the Constitution (Amendment) Act pertaining to the abrogation of Article 370 is pending in the Supreme Court.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present during the debate, said he would give a detailed reply on all the issues raised by the opposition members.

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said peace in Jammu and Kashmir is “more important” than elections.

He said after the abrogation of Article 370, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved and investments have started pouring in.

Intervening, Union minister Anurag Thakur said it is sad when security personnel are killed, but the opposition should not forget that 45,000 people died in Jammu and Kashmir during the 70 years of their regime.

National Conference (NC) MP Hasnain Masoodi also demanded early polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the government should tell the truth to the country and not spread the illusion of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Masoodi also claimed that unemployment is increasing in the Union Territory.

Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) too demanded early polls and said the government should bring a comprehensive bill on reservation to meet the aspirations of the people of different states.

Janata Dal-United’s Kaushalendra Kumar also demanded the holding of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.–(PTI)