J&K Hajj 2024: Final batch departs, 273 pilgrims leaves for Saudi Arabia

Core Hajj phase starting from 8 to 13 Zilhaj, return flights scheduled to begin from 22 June: Officials

Srinagar, May 27 (KNO): The final batch of 273 Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departed from Srinagar International Airport on Monday, marking the conclusion of the Hajj departures for 2024. The first return flight from Saudi Arabia is scheduled for June 22, an official said.

A senior officer of the J&K Hajj Committee told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that today the last batch of 273 pilgrims left for the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from Srinagar International Airport, and that this year over 7,000 pilgrims from J&K took up the holy pilgrimage.

“Today was the last flight of the Hajj schedule, and 273 pilgrims took up the journey to the holy city. Over 7000 pilgrims took up the holy journey, and 39 have embarked their journey from Mumbai airport while 37 are without Mahram”, the senior officer said.

The officer added that the core Hajj phase will start from 8 to 13 Zilhaj and that the first flight scheduled to return from Saudi Arabia to Srinagar International airport is on 22 June.

“The Hajis from Jammu and Kashmir will start coming back from 22 June, with two flights scheduled on the first day. Each flight will be carrying 322 pilgrims,” the officer added.

Notably, marking the beginning of the holy journey, the first flight departed from Srinagar International Airport on 9 May 2024 from Srinagar’s Hajj house, witnessing emotional scenes.

According to the officials, over 7000 Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are undertaking the holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, with approximately 6800 departing through Srinagar embarkation and over 500 through embarkation from other airports.

As per the officials, collaborative efforts were put across various departments, including health, security, and emergency services, and that the training sessions were also conducted twice to equip pilgrims with essential information and guidance for their pilgrimage.

Officials revealed that this year’s pilgrimage will commence with a visit to Madina, with all pilgrims accommodated in Markaziya, with enhancements made in Minha, with tents strategically positioned in zones 2, 3, and 4, for elevating the overall experience for the pilgrims—(KNO)

ACB arrests KPDCL cashier for demanding Rs 9,000 bribe in Sopore

Srinagar, May 27: ACB J&K arrested a cashier in the office of Executive Engineer, KPDCL sub transmission division Sopore red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 9000 for release of security deposit of a complainant.

In a statement, issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer, a spokesperson said that ACB received a complaint against Mohd Shafi Bhat senior assistant-cum-cashier in the office of the Executive Engineer KPDCL Sopore, alleging therein the demand of bribe of Rs 10,000 for release of security amount to the tune of Rs 15560.

The statement reads that it was alleged by the complainant that he is running a firm namely M/S Print Plus in Hazratbal Srinagar and in 2021 he had supplied stationary items and log books to the office of Executive Engineer Sopore for which the bill payment against the supplied items was made by the department but the security deposit amount of Rs 15,560 is pending.

“He further alleged that he approached the department for the release of security amount many times but Mohd Shafi kept delaying same on one pretext or other and finally demanded ₹10000 as bribe from him for doing so and that he has collected proof against said cashier regarding demand of bribe. Under these circumstances he approached ACB with written complaint requesting for legal action against Cashier for demand of bribe.”

It added that as the contents of complaint prima facie disclose the commission of offence punishable under section 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (r/w its amendment Act 2018) by accused public servant, accordingly a case FIR No. 09/2024 under section 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (r/w its amendment Act 2018) was registered against him and investigations were initiated.

“During the course of investigations the accused public servant was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe from complainant. He was immediately taken into custody after completing the legal formalities the bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses. Further investigations in the case are going on.”—(KNO)

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR

1. From 25-05-2024, 1700 hrs. to 26-05-2024, 1700 hrs., there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to the breakdown of 06 HMVs, 09 nomadic flocks, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Panthyal, Magerkote, Nachlana, Gangroo, Shalgarhi, etc., and poor surface condition of the road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to undertake their journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during daytime as the movement of nomads towards Kashmir Valley may cause inconvenience to commuters and there is an apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.

3. Load carrier (HMV/LMV) operators carrying fresh perishable/live stock are advised to load their vehicles as per the advisory issued by Traffic Police Headquarters from time to time, as there is single lane traffic and poor condition of the road at Dalwas, Panthyal, Magerkote, Nachlana, Shalgarhi, etc., on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

4. HMV operators/owners are requested to desist from overloading and ensure sufficient fuel for the journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Vehicle owners must double-check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking the journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

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

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 27-05-2024:

Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44)

Subject to fair weather, good road condition, and manageable traffic environment, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW, viz. Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. However, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after the down LMVs tail and assessment of road condition.

Cut off timing for LMVs in view of single road at Dalwas, Panthyal, Magerkote, Nachlana, Shalgarhi, Kishtwari Pather etc. (subject to change depending on road condition):

– From Nagrota (Jammu) 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs
– From Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1400 hrs
– From NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs

No vehicle shall be allowed after the cut-off timing.

SFs Convoy Movement:

Security Forces are advised/requested not to ply against advisory/traffic plan in view of possible traffic congestion because of the narrow carriageway between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Tomorrow they may ply from Srinagar towards Jammu after confirming the status of NHW from TCU Ramban.

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244:

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement (only LMVs) on Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road shall be allowed from both sides, viz. Anantnag towards Kishtwar and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Daksum and Chingam (Chatroo) between 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after the cut-off timing.

SSG ROAD:

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, (after getting green signal from Road maintenance agencies) LMVs movement shall be allowed from both sides, viz. Srinagar towards Kargil and vice versa on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road. LMVs followed by SFs Convoy shall be allowed from Sonamarg between 0600 hrs to 1400 hrs and LMVs from Minamarg 0600 hrs to 1400 hrs. However, HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 1500 hrs to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed from the opposite side during the movement of HMVs and no vehicle shall be allowed after the cut-off timings.

Mughal Road:

Tomorrow subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs movement on Mughal road shall be allowed from both sides, viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa, and HMVs (up to 10 tyres) shall be allowed from Shopian towards Poonch. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) between 0800 hrs to 1600 hrs, after the green signal from road agencies.

Bhaderwah-Chamba road:

Bhaderwah-Chamba road is open for vehicular movement.

ADVISORY:

People are advised to undertake the journey only after confirming the 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, 1800-180-7043
– Udhampur: 8491928625
– PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
– PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331