ST status to Pahari community: Mobile internet service suspended in Poonch-Rajouri in J-K
Jammu, Feb 7: Amid resentment among a section of Gujjar-Bakerwal community over grant of ST status to Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities on Wednesday imposed prohibitory orders in Jammu while security was beefed up in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The mobile internet service and public Wi-Fi facilities were also temporarily suspended in Rajouri and Poonch as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, officials said.
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to add four communities -- Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group -- to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir.
In an order issued here this evening, Jammu district magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya ordered immediate imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure that prohibits gathering of four or more people.
"Whereas, it has been made to appear to me by the inputs received from police authorities and also otherwise, that there is a likelihood of serious breach of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquillity which might cause grave danger to human lives and properties because of the disinformation that is being spread on social media platforms by posting/ sharing of derogatory, discriminatory and provocative messages.
"Whereas, it is desirable that any breach of peace and order and disturbance of public tranquillity which might cause grave danger to human lives and properties should be immediately prevented," the order read.
Exercising his powers, Vaishya prohibits individuals and social media platforms and portals operating in the district from posting or sharing any such post or message that has the potential to disturb the communal harmony, cause breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
"The order shall come into force with immediate effect and any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code," the order said.
While the Pahari community welcomed the Central government's decision to grant the community Scheduled Tribe status, a section of the Gujjars and Bakerwals have expressed their resentment against the move, claiming that the Paharis are not scheduled tribes.
Security has been beefed up in both Rajouri and Poonch districts having major concentration of Gujjars and Bakerwals besides Paharis to maintain law and order, the officials said.
In an order, the Home Department announced temporary suspension of telecom services in the two districts.
"Whereas, the ADGP (additional director general of Police), Jammu Zone, being the authorized officer under the temporary suspension of telecom services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, has issued directions to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)/Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to suspend mobile data (2G/3G/4G/5G & Public Wi-Fi facilities 5G) in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu Province w.e.f 07.02.2024 (0010 hours) to 07.02.2024 (2330 hours)," the order said.
The order highlighted the possibility of mobile data (2G/3G/4G/5G & Public Wi-Fi facility 5G) services to be misused by anti-national elements or miscreants, which may cause deterioration in public order.
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No clarity on US-Iran talks as Islamabad stays under lockdown
Islamabad (PTI): Large parts of Pakistan's capital remain under a tight security lockdown for over a week on Saturday, even as uncertainty persisted over the proposed second round of talks between the US and Iran.
Arterial roads leading into Islamabad are sealed, while the Red Zone, housing key government buildings and diplomatic missions, remains under a strict security cordon.
In the adjacent commercial 'Blue Area', markets are deserted, cafes are running short of supplies, and public transport disruptions with no service at bus terminals have left commuters stranded.
For residents, uncertainty has become the hardest part. Islamabad is a city of transients, where many residents work during the week and return to family homes at the weekend.
This is the second lockdown in recent weeks. Islamabad was earlier sealed on April 11 for talks between the US and Iranian delegations that ended without a deal. The city briefly reopened before restrictions were reimposed as Pakistan prepared to host another round of engagements, which has yet to materialise.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived here late Friday for engagements with the Pakistani leadership. He was received by senior officials, including Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, foreign minister Ishaq Dar and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
However, there is no clarity on whether direct talks between Washington and Tehran will take place during the visit.
"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a social media post on Saturday.
He said the Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad "for an official visit" and Araghchi will be "meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation and good offices for ending American-imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region".
As the Iranian team landed in Islamabad, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's adviser Jared Kushner would be leaving for Pakistan on Saturday "to engage in direct talks" with representatives of the Iranian delegation.
“Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary, but first, Steve and Jared will be going over there to report back to the president, the vice president and the rest of the team,” she said.
However, the US team has not yet arrived.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar, in a social media post, expressed hope for "meaningful engagements" between the two warring parties to promote regional peace and stability.
The Foreign Office here said Iranian foreign minister Araghchi will hold meetings with Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability.
"Following key discussions with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is expected to be held in Islamabad on Saturday and Sunday," a government official said.
He said a US logistics and security team is already present in Islamabad to facilitate the negotiation process.
Araghchi, before leaving for Islamabad, said that he was embarking on a timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, and the purpose of his visits is to "closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments".
"Our neighbours are our priority," he said.
The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.
On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.
The Iran war began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes.
