SRINAGAR: District Administration Reasi on Thursday demolished the house of a former government employee, who allegedly was involved in twin blast cases.
As per media reports, the house of terror accused Mohammad Auraf Sheikh, son of Ghulam Ud-Din Sheikh of Baransal Gulabgarh, Tehsil Mahore, was constructed illegally on state land.
The accused, a former Government teacher, was terminated from his services when his involvement in two blasts was established by the police.
The house built on State land under Khasra No. 602/457/1 at village Baransal Tehsil Mahore was demolished under the supervision of district police and in the presence of witnesses and locals of the area. The demolition drive started at 1:pm and was carried out till 10:pm in the evening.
Pertinent to mention that the terror accused was found involved in blast cases on bus at Kadmal near Katra and at Narwal, Jammu. In this regard case FIR No. 141 /2022 P/S Katra u/s 13/16/18/20/23 UAPA, 302/307 IPC and 3/5 Explosive Substance Act stands registered at Katra, Reasi and another Case FIR No. 38/2023 P/S Bahu Fort U/S 307 IPC, 3/4/5 E.S. Act & 16/18 UAPA stands registered at Jammu.
State Govt Issues Shoot At Sight’ Orders: The Manipur government has issued “shoot-at-sight orders” as a last resort to control the situation amid spiralling violence in the state between tribals and the majority Meitei community which has displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.
Clashes first broke out on Wednesday in Churachandpur town after tribal Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the state’s reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the majority Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods.
The violence didn’t abate till late on Thursday evening even as thousands of army and paramilitary personnel fanned across the state, marching through the deserted streets of the state’s violence-hit towns to restore peace, and evacuating at least 9,000 people.
The Indian army in statement late on Thursday said that the situation in the towns of Moreh and Kangpokpi was stable and had been brought under control.
Here are 10 facts on this big story:
The Manipur government on Thursday issued “shoot at sight” orders in “extreme cases” after violence in the state spilled over to Imphal. Rapid Action Force (RAF) was flown in and 55 army columns were deployed to contain the spiraling violence.
According to sources, Centre is rushing additional troops to the state. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will airlift forces from Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam. Former CRPF chief Kuldeep Singh has been appointed as the security advisor for Manipur while senior IPS officer Ashutosh Sinha made the overall commander overseeing the peace restoration operations in the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will not be travelling to Manipur today. Mr Shah on Thursday spoke with the chief ministers of Manipur and its neighbouring states and held meetings with top central and state bodies through video conferencing to review the situation in the state.
Although the government is yet to confirm the number of lives lost, if any, or how many have been injured in the clashes, over 9,000 people from various districts have been evacuated and given shelter in special camps. Around 5,000 have been shifted to Churachandpur, another 2,000 people were shifted to Imphal Valley, and 2,000 people to the border town of Moreh.
“The government is taking all measures to maintain the law and order. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of all our people,” Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Thursday.
In the wake of the violence, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday directed officials to evacuate students of his state studying in various schools and colleges in Manipur.
The violence began on Wednesday during protests by various tribal groups of Manipur over a court order on Scheduled Tribe status.
The All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) called a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest against the non-tribal Meitei community’s demand for a Scheduled tribe status. According to the police, thousands took part in the rally during which violence broke out between some tribal groups and non-tribals.
The Meitei, who are the majority in the state, primarily inhabit the Manipur valley. The Meitei’s claim that they are facing difficulty in view of “large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis”. As per existing law, the Meiteies are not allowed to settle in the hill areas of the state.
Given the volatile atmosphere in the state, internet services have been suspended across the state till Monday, train operations have been stopped and curfew imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.
SRINAGAR: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has announced the renaming of Asraria Chenab House at Channi Himmat in Jammu as Askini House. The DDC had requested a change in the scope of the project to better suit its current utility and directed the Executive Engineer of the JDA to revisit and rename the DPR with Askini House.
Accordingly, the Executive Engineer of the PWD (R&B) Special Sub Division Doda, in a letter No. 1164-67 dated April 26, 2033, has requested the JDA Division No. 01 to revisit and rename the DPR with Askini House for the construction of a dormitory for students belonging to District Doda at the same place. The Executive Engineer has also been instructed to ensure that the foundation stone for Askini House is laid by May 10, 2033, as desired by the DDC of Doda.
SRINAGAR: On Thursday, the army destroyed around half a dozen explosive landmines on the Line of Control which were originally their own landmines but had drifted, posing a risk to the lives of army personnel.
Official sources stated that six anti-personnel landmines were detected by army troops who were patrolling the area and were part of their own minefield but had drifted near the troops.
They added that a special team of the Indian Army’s bomb disposal squad destroyed the six mines through a controlled mechanism.
The shells were destroyed in the forward area of the Balakote sector on the Line of Control. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: Amid forecasts for mainly clear weather with a chance of a brief spell of rain and thunderstorms in the evening, night temperatures continued to remain below normal in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
A meteorological department official stated that rain was expected at many places from May 6-8, and from May 9-12, the weather was expected to be mainly dry. The weather conditions were also favourable for spraying and harvesting, and farmers can take advantage of this on May 9-12.
Regarding temperature, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.6°C, which was 0.1°C below normal for the summer capital, compared to the previous night when it was 10.3°C.
Qazigund recorded a low of 7.8°C, which was below normal by 0.7°C for the gateway town of Kashmir, compared to 7.2°C on the previous night.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.6°C, which was 1.3°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, compared to 2.0°C on the previous night.
Kokernag recorded a low of 7.0°C, which was 1.4°C below normal for the place, compared to 6.7°C on the previous night.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 2.2°C, which was 2.1°C below normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, compared to 3.8°C on the previous night.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 7.4°C, which was 1.0°C below normal for the north Kashmir area, compared to 9.6°C on the previous night.
Jammu recorded a low of 17.3°C, which was 5.3°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, compared to 17.6°C on the previous night.
Banihal recorded a low of 7.7°C, which was below normal by 2.4°C; Batote 9.7°C, which was 2.8°C below normal; Katra 15.1°C, which was 4.1°C below normal, and Bhaderwah 8.0°C, which was below normal by 1.2°C.
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 0.2°C and 5.4°C, respectively, the official added. (GNS)
Srinagar, May 5: Amid forecast for “mainly clear” weather with chances of “brief spell” of rain and thunderstorm in the evening, the night temperatures continued to hover below normal in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
A meteorological department official here told GNS that rain was expected at “many places” from May 6-8. Thereafter from May 9-12, he said, weather was expected to be “mainly dry”.
In fact, he said, the weather was favorable for “spraying and harvesting” and farmers can utilize the same today and May 9-12.
Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.6°C against 10.3°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 7.8°C against 7.2°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.7°C for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 3.6°C against 2.0°C on previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 7.0°C against 6.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 2.2°C against 3.8°C on previous night and it was 2.1°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 7.4°C against 9.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 17.3°C against 17.6°C on the previous night and it was 5.3°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 7.7°C (below normal by 2.4°C), Batote 9.7°C (2.8°C below normal), Katra 15.1°C (4.1°C below normal) and Bhaderwah 8.0°C (below normal by 1.2°C). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 0.2°C and 5.4°C respectively, he added. (GNS)
As otherwise abundant bird species get rare in the cities, experts hold electromagnetic radiation responsible for the mess. The faster communication technologies will add to the stress of the birds and impact an ecological balance, reports Umaima Reshi
Migratory Birds Flying-high-in Hokersar Wetland
With the 5G already becoming popular, the debate about its possible impact on different life forms is back to the table talk. There are reports that bird populations are getting impacted by the radiations emitted by the base tower stations (BTS), a key infrastructure for all kinds of mobile telephony.
BTS is vital in communication. It is an electromagnetic device with pernicious radiation. It is a fixed transceiver in all mobile networks, which connects mobile devices to the network. It sends and receives radio signals to mobile devices and converts them to digital signals. Besides, it passes on the network to route to other terminals in the network or to the internet. The quantum of radiation depends on the number of sensors installed on a BTS. Its power potency changes with distance.
The BTS Networks
Electromagnetic fields and radiations are usually pervasive. People already live with a variety of electromagnetic radiations that power the radio, television, and cell phones. Unlike all others, however, BTS are the major sources of electromagnetic field and radiation in any environment. Cell phone technologies have densities mostly between 800MHz and 3GHz and BTS antennae have a frequency of 900 or 1800MHz, pulsed at low densities, generally known as microwaves (300MHz–300GHz). The use of cell phones has helped in the spread of BTS and it has converted most of the space into an electromagnetic field immensely.
BTS, the cell phone tower station.
Unlike all earlier BTS, the ones used for the 5G network are reportedly impacting the ecology more. The 5G network emanates high-density signals on the scale of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. This is being seen as the source-adverse impact on the surrounding. In an appeal to the European Union, 180 scientists and doctors from 36 countries warned that there are assuredly legitimate concerns regarding the 5G technology.
Birds Hit
In comparison to humans, birds have a considerable body-to-weight ratio, which is why they captivate more radiation. The liquid form, like blood, platelets, and plasma in the anatomy of a bird is subordinate, and so it turns feverish promptly. Magnetic exposure from the tower hinders the navigation skills of the birds. When birds are exposed to EMR; they get adrift and muddled and start to fly erratically. Besides, a copious number of birds succumb due to clashes with telecommunication masts, annually.
The diversity of bird species is said to be at risk due to various causes including strong electromagnetic fields. In Kashmir, many bird species like sparrows, pigeons, and swans are gradually disappearing from the cities and many people link it to the strong electromagnetic fields around.
According to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) report of 2016, specifically, 16764 BTS are installed at 8554 sites across Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmirm there are 4000 Base transceiver stations (BTS), increasing with the number of users.
The Lolab Survey
Attempts were made to understand the repercussions of mobile tower radiation on birds at different sites and villages of Lolab Valley in Kupwara in 2019. It was jointly carried out by zoology scholars of Dr CV Raman University, Kota Bilaspur – Tawseef Ahmad Bhat, and Dr R K Singh.
In the course of the evaluation, a sum total of 17 groups of birds were listed at particular sites. The number of birds documented within a 200-meter radius of the mobile tower was comparably less than that embarked exterior to a 200-meter radius.
The survey suggested that the birds are afflicted more within this range as the expanse and reverberations of electromagnetic radiations effused by mobile towers are inversely correlated to the stretch from the tower as per ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection).
The birds that were found within as well as outside the radius of different sites were Common Myna, Rock Pigeon, Steppe Eagle, House Sparrow, Jungle Crow, and Eurasian Jackdaw. The distribution of birds outside the radius included Slatyheaded Parakeet, Grey Bushchat, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Turtle Dove, Himalayan Bulbul, Yellow-billed Magpie, Himalayan Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Spotted Forktail, and Phimbeous.
Radiations from cellular towers cause exasperation among the birds; making them depart to other areas where the impact of radiation is low, which layouts a signal for their disappearance from towns. The survey concluded that birds are highly affected by electromagnetic radiation. “Behaviour of birds may be changed when exposed to such radiations. They may lose the power of orientation, natural navigation and fly in any direction,” it said.
A flock of birds on a low-tension power distribution line. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
“The electromagnetic radiation grimly affects the generative achievement of birds due to which the conceiving success is reduced. Contemporary scientific testaments reveal that protracted vulnerability to electromagnetic radiation can also strike immune system activity. Magnetic fields can impact the advancement and occurrence of deformities in the fertilization of embryos and at the same time, an agitated immune system also escalates the proneness of birds to ill effects and diseases,” one of the avian fauna veterinarians said. “Feather loss is the very first ailment of deteriorating health in birds. There are many other symptoms and susceptibility to radiation because the exposure depends upon genetics and the physical condition of the impacted creatures.”
10 Species
The depletion of ten species of avian fauna, commonly found in the city was recorded. The situation was quite the same in the consolidated areas of the territory. Now they are nowhere to be seen. The vanishing of house sparrows and crows has been majorly reported. The cause behind that is microwaves (300 MHz to 300 GHz) emitted by cell phone towers and handsets, are damaging eggs and embryos of sparrows.
Though the Telecommunication industry has introduced protective guidance for human beings vulnerable to wireless radiation; there is no analogous protective clue for living organisms.
Srinagar, May 05: Nearly two weeks after Army personnel were killed in Rajouri, a contact has been established by forces with militants in Kandi area of the district.
Sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that forces, who were carrying out a massive search operation in the area, have established contact with militants in Kesari area of Kandi in Rajouri district.
“During a cordon and search operation, a contact was established with militants,” they said, adding that firing was going on between the two sides when this report was filed.
It is pertinent to mention that seven civilians and five Army personnel were killed by militants in the month of January and April in the district.
This is the third gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 72 hours—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: A gunfight broke out between militants and counter-insurgent forces in Kesari area of Kandi hamlet in Rajouri district on Friday.
An official said that a joint team of Police, army’ and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.
He said that as the joint teams of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
A senior police officer also confirmed the exchange of fire between forces and militants.
As per the sources, two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area-( KS)
Mother Dairy has cut maximum retail prices (MRP) of its edible oils, sold under Dhara brand, by Rs 15-20 per litre with immediate effect in line with the reduction in global prices.
The stock with revised MRP is expected to hit the market next week.
The reduction comes following the food ministry’s direction to edible oil industry body SEA regarding the need for downward revision of the MRP of cooking oils.
“The MRP of Dhara edible oils are being reduced by Rs 15-20 per litre across variants with immediate effect. This reduction is largely being done in variants such as soyabean oil, ricebran oil, sunflower oil and groundnut oil, on account of reduced impact of international markets and ease in availability of domestic crop,” Mother Dairy spokesperson said.
The MRP of Dhara refined soyabean oil (1 litre poly pack) has been reduced to Rs 150 from Rs 170, while the MRP of Dhara refined rice bran oil will now be Rs 170 per litre as against Rs 190 per litre earlier.
The company has revised the MRP of Dhara refined sunflower oil to Rs 160 from Rs 175 per litre.
The MRP of Dhara groundnut oil has been cut to Rs 240 from Rs 255 per litre.
Edible oil industry body Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) had advised its members to reduce MRP in line with the falling prices of edible oils.
It has sought the details of reduction in MRP during the last three months so that the same could be informed to the food ministry.
Mother Dairy manufactures, markets and sells milk and milk products, including cultured products, ice cream, paneer and ghee under the ‘Mother Dairy’ brand.
The company sells edible oils under the ‘Dhara’ brand and fresh fruits & vegetables, frozen vegetables & snacks, unpolished pulses, pulps & concentrates, etc., under the ‘Safal’ brand.
In Delhi-NCR, it has hundreds of milk booths as well as Safal retail outlets.
“The Department of Food and Public Distribution regularly review the price of edible oil in country. International prices has been sharply reduced in the last 6 months and particularly in last 60 days, however local prices, in spite of bumper crops of groundnut, soyabean and mustard, not declined in line with the International market,” SEA had said.
“While most of the brands have reduced prices in the past but still the prevailing MRP of the packed edible oil in the market is not in line with the current prices as in international market, i.e. the prices of edible oil (MRP) in domestic market seems to be on higher side considering the prevailing market scenario,” the association said.
The department had advised SEA to inform members to reduce MRP on edible oils and pass on the benefits to consumer.(PTI)
