Category: Kashmir

1-way traffic restored on Jammu-Srinagar highway after several hours’ closure

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Srinagar, Feb 14 (GNS): Single way traffic was restored on Jammu-Srinagar Highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the outside world, after remaining closed for throughout night and several hours on Tuesday morning.
A traffic police official told GNS that the single-way traffic was restored after clearance of the debris. “Firstly stranded vehicles will be cleared,” he said and urged commuters to “travel with caution.”
Intermittent shooting stones at Mehar-Cafeteria area in Ramban on highway led to closure of the highway throughout the night and till around 10 a.m., he said.
Mohita Sharma, SSP Traffic Highway, said that the authorities were clearing stranded vehicles on priority as the thoroughfare remained blocked for the entire night due to shooting stones. “LMVs from Qazigund and Udhampur to follow soon,” she said. (GNS)
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#1way #traffic #restored #JammuSrinagar #highway #hours #closure
( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

February 14, 2023
Court Rejects Bail To Five Solders Arrested In Drug Peddling

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SRINAGAR: A Kashmir court has turned down the bail application of five soldiers who were arrested in a drug peddling case, NDTV reported. The court ruled that their detention is required to lay hands on other accused.
The five soldiers were operating the drug-peddling gang while being posted at Panzgam in Kupwara. They were arrested last month and accused for running the drug cartel from Tangdhar, a border town located on the Line of Control (LoC).
The bail application was moved before the Additional district and sessions judge, Kupwara, who rejected the plea. The court observed that soldiers were supposed to protect society but regretted this bunch worked in contravention of it.
“According to the police, drugs were coming from Pakistan through Tangdhar sector and five soldiers posted in Panzgam area of Kupwara were involved in drug trafficking,” the NDTV report said, identifying the accused soldiers as Naib-Subedar Puran Singh, Anil Kumar (driver) Sepoy Sushil Kumar, Naik Waseem Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Shafiq Khan.
The soldiers apparently were working with four civilians who were identified as Mashkoor Sheikh (working as a porter with Army), Mohammad Yousaf Kothari, Saleem Sheikh and Mohammad Imran Teli.
This is the second time in the last two months that security personnel have been arrested for drug smuggling from the Line of Control in Kupwara district.
The report said that federal investigator, NIA arrested a BSF officer posted in Handwara – also part of the frontier Kupwara district, “on charges of cross-border drug smuggling linked with the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist group”. Identified as Romesh Kumar, report said Rs 91 lakh cash was recovered from Kumar.

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#Court #Rejects #Bail #Solders #Arrested #Drug #Peddling
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 14, 2023
Not a single house will be demolished for Doodhganga Restoration: Mayor Srinagar

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Srinagar, Feb 14: Amid protests by locals, Mayor Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu on Tuesday said that not a single house will be demolished for Doodhganga restoration.
In a statement issued here to GNS, Mattu said that he had a detailed meeting with the residents and community elders of various localities and colonies on the stretch of Aloochi Bagh to Chattabal Doodhganda Rejuvenation and Restoration Project on Monday and that he assured them that “no colonies will be displaced, nor any houses demolished including the downtrodden colonies and slum settlements on this stretch.” The meeting was also attended by Commissioner SMC and CEO Srinagar Smart City, Athar Aamir Khan, SE City Drainage in addition to senior officials and engineers.
“The Mayor assured the local residents that the Doodhganga Canal Restoration and Rejuvenation Project was a vital flood mitigation project that would first and foremost benefit the residents and colonies in Aloochi Bagh, Haft Chinar, Batamaloo and Chattabal,” the statement reads, adding, “The Mayor, while condemning traditional mischief mongers and agent provocateurs who were provoking the people and spreading misinformation, assured the residents that not a single residential colony, including slum structures, would be disturbed or affected by this project.
He said the ‘Public Notice’ that has been issued concerns encumbrances, obstacles and physical encroachments within and on top of the canal and does not pertain to residential colonies, houses or structures. “Not a single house will be demolished by this project. It is my assurance to the residents that this won’t be allowed,” he said, adding, “Contrary to what is being wrongly peddled by vested interests, this restoration project will resolve the longstanding issue of localised urban flooding and water-logging in these areas — benefiting the locals of these areas.”
The Mayor said that attempts to connect SMC with the ongoing land eviction and retrieval of State land drive were “misleading”. “SMC is not involved in the ongoing drive in any way, shape or form – neither at the policy level nor at the execution level,” he said, adding, “A recent statement issued by a particular political party is a shameful attempt to derive political dividends by misleading the downtrodden sections of the society.” The administration’s ongoing drive does not involve the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and as the Mayor of Srinagar, “I have formally urged the administration to put in place a humane and sympathetic policy of regularisation, especially for the poor and downtrodden sections of our society – keeping in view the fragile and sensitive economy of J&K.” (GNS)
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#single #house #demolished #Doodhganga #Restoration #Mayor #Srinagar

( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

February 14, 2023
Not a single house will be demolished for Doodhganga Restoration: Mayor Srinagar

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Says SMC Not A Part Of The Current Land Retrieval Drive
Srinagar, Feb 14 (GNS): Amid protests by locals, Mayor Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu on Tuesday said that not a single house will be demolished for Doodhganga restoration.
In a statement issued here to GNS, Mattu said that he had a detailed meeting with the residents and community elders of various localities and colonies on the stretch of Aloochi Bagh to Chattabal Doodhganda Rejuvenation and Restoration Project on Monday and that he assured them that “no colonies will be displaced, nor any houses demolished including the downtrodden colonies and slum settlements on this stretch.” The meeting was also attended by Commissioner SMC and CEO Srinagar Smart City, Athar Aamir Khan, SE City Drainage in addition to senior officials and engineers.
“The Mayor assured the local residents that the Doodhganga Canal Restoration and Rejuvenation Project was a vital flood mitigation project that would first and foremost benefit the residents and colonies in Aloochi Bagh, Haft Chinar, Batamaloo and Chattabal,” the statement reads, adding, “The Mayor, while condemning traditional mischief mongers and agent provocateurs who were provoking the people and spreading misinformation, assured the residents that not a single residential colony, including slum structures, would be disturbed or affected by this project.
He said the ‘Public Notice’ that has been issued concerns encumbrances, obstacles and physical encroachments within and on top of the canal and does not pertain to residential colonies, houses or structures. “Not a single house will be demolished by this project. It is my assurance to the residents that this won’t be allowed,” he said, adding, “Contrary to what is being wrongly peddled by vested interests, this restoration project will resolve the longstanding issue of localised urban flooding and water-logging in these areas — benefiting the locals of these areas.”
The Mayor said that attempts to connect SMC with the ongoing land eviction and retrieval of State land drive were “misleading”. “SMC is not involved in the ongoing drive in any way, shape or form – neither at the policy level nor at the execution level,” he said, adding, “A recent statement issued by a particular political party is a shameful attempt to derive political dividends by misleading the downtrodden sections of the society.” The administration’s ongoing drive does not involve the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and as the Mayor of Srinagar, “I have formally urged the administration to put in place a humane and sympathetic policy of regularisation, especially for the poor and downtrodden sections of our society – keeping in view the fragile and sensitive economy of J&K.” (GNS)

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#single #house #demolished #Doodhganga #Restoration #Mayor #Srinagar

( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

February 14, 2023
Kashmir NGO collects blankets, woolens for quake-hit Turkey

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Srinagar, Feb 14: A Kashmir-based local NGO ‘We the Helping Hands foundation’ has extended their hands to support devastating earthquake victims with humanitarian assistance.
Umer Wani, who heads the foundation told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that after watching the horrific and heart-wrenching videos and images of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, he at his NGO decided to conduct a humanitarian assistance camp.
“We saw the videos where children were orphaned, families were shattered and we decided to extend our humanitarian support to them. We first spoke to the Turkey embassy officials in New Delhi and they shared a list of essentials with us. We held an open camp where people generously extended their support”, he said.
According to him, he said they had to wrap up the camp within 24 hours of the start of the initiative, stating that the embassy informed them that their warehouse in New Delhi was full of aid and they are running out of space.
“We were anticipating that it would take us atleast 10 days to collect the relief material. But such was the response that we had to call off the drive as people from every nook and corner came with donation. We were able to collect warm clothes, blankets, diapers, water bottles, sleeping bags and so far we have dispatched one shipment in a truck and four more are to be dispatched,” Wani added.
While volunteers from the NGO were collecting donations, locals were also seen extending their support to NGO in collecting the contributions in the shape of blankets and other items against a receipt.
Wani added that they are not accepting any monetary donations from anyone for the earthquake-hit countries and that they are extending their support as per the requirements shared by the officials at the Turkey embassy.

“We have witnessed tragedies, be it floods, Covid or Earthquake and Kashmiris understand the suffering. People of Kashmir have time and now demonstrated how compassionate we are. We should constantly step out to help people, regardless of caste, creed, or religion,” Wani remarked.

A similar drive was held by a Kashmir-based logistic company ‘Fastbeetle’ where they collected blankets, baby food, warm clothing, and medicines for the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria—(KNO)
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#Kashmir #NGO #collects #blankets #woolens #quakehit #Turkey
( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

February 14, 2023
Fish Farmers Entire Crop Dead, Claims ‘Poisoning’

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SRINAGAR: Thousands of fish died after some people allegedly poisoned them in a farm at Bhatnoora village in Pulwama, an official said.
Quoting Manzoor Ahmad Mir son of Ab Salam Mir of Bhatnoora who was running the farm for the last eight years news agency KNO reported that unknown people mixed some poisonous substance in the water entering the farm causing death to fish. He said that some fishes were even 5-6 year old, weighing about 2 kg each.
“It has caused loss in lakhs and shattered my dreams. It was a source of livelihood for me,” he said.
He along with his family members requested concerned authorities to look into the matter and nab those responsible for the incident.
A police official said that prima facie it seems an act of mischief committed by someone to inflict damages to the owner.
He said a case has been registered and further investigations have been taken up.

Previous article‘Landless, Poor People Won’t Be Disturbed In J&K Anti-Encroachment Drive’

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#Fish #Farmers #Entire #Crop #Dead #Claims #Poisoning

( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 13, 2023
‘Landless, Poor People Won’t Be Disturbed In J&K Anti-Encroachment Drive’

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SRINAGAR: A delegation of the civil society members on Monday called on Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar at his office and discussed the issue of ongoing anti-encroachment drive.
The delegation comprised Devender Singh Rana, Khalid Hussain, Suhail Qazmi, Sahil Ji Maharaj, Arun Gupta, President Chamber of Commerce, Jammu, Rajeev Gupta, Mahant Mohan Giri, Mahant Rajesh Bittu, Mahant Rajeshwar Giri, Vinay Hindu, Mohammad Aslam Qureshi, Choudhary Iqbal, Haji Ashraf, S. Ravinder Singh, S. Manpreet Singh, Anwar Khan, besides other prominent citizens.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa was also present during the interaction.
The delegation informed the Div Com about the concern and sense of insecurity prevailing among the poor people with regard to the ongoing anti-encroachment and demolition drive being carried out by the administration. They urged the Divisional Commissioner that poor people may not be targeted during the ongoing anti-encroachment drive.
Stating that no one was opposed to the action against the land grabbers, they said that there was a need to safeguard the interests of the poor who have constructed small dwelling units.
Responding to the issues raised by the delegation, the Div Com assured that no landless person/ family would be affected by the government during the ongoing anti encroachment drives carried out to retrieve encroached state land. However, he reiterated that big encroachers would not be spared.
“Clear instructions have already been issued to the concerned authorities not to target the poor and the landless public,” he assured.

The delegation members also assured to extend full support and cooperation to the administration in the ongoing drive. The delegation said that the Jammu Civil Society is united and committed to maintain amity, tranquility and order in the city as per its glorious ethos of peace and harmony.

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#Landless #Poor #People #Wont #Disturbed #AntiEncroachment #Drive
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 13, 2023
Mercury Plunges Amid Dry Weather In Kashmir, Minus 4.0°C in Srinagar

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Srinagar, Feb 13 (GNS): The minimum temperatures recorded a plunge in Kashmir Valley with Srinagar recording minus 4.0°C on Monday.
A meteorological department official told GNS that there was a drop of 3.4°C against the previous night’s minus 0.6°C in Srinagar. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was below normal by 0.8°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 4.6°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night and it was 3.6°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 10.0°C against minus 4.0°C on the previous night and it was 5.0°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 4.6°C against minus 2.3°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 11.0°C against minus 13.5°C on the previous night and it was 4.8°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 minus 5.7°C against minus 4.7°C on the previous night and it was 4.5°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 3.6°C against 5.8°C on the previous night. It was 6.5°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.4°C (below normal by 2.2°C), Batote minus 1.7°C (below normal by 0.9°C), Katra 5.6°C (2.5°C below normal) and Bhadarwah minus 2.2°C (2.4°C below normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 16.8°C and minus 19.8°C respectively, the official said.
Regarding the forecast, he said, mainly dry weather was expected this week.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 has ended, Kashmir is under the grip of a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’. It will be followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1. (GNS)
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#Mercury #Plunges #Dry #Weather #Kashmir #4.0C #Srinagar
( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

February 13, 2023
Bridge In Reasi Collapses, 2 Injured As 2 Vehicles Fall Into Rivulet

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M S Nazki
Jammu, Feb 13 (GNS): A bridge over rivulet in Mahore area of Reasi collapsed when two loaded dumpers were crossing on it last evening, officials said.
They said both the dumpers, one having registration number JK02CW-9495 and other one without registration plate, fell in Badora rivulet connecting Mahore and Chassan Tehsils.
Drivers of the vehicles, identified as Amjid Khan and Showkat Ali, both residents of Kotranka Rajouri, were injured and were shifted to hospital by rescuers including police.
SDM Mazahir Hussein Shah confirmed to GNS collapsing of the bridge and injuries to drivers as well as damage to the dumpers. (GNS)
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#Bridge #Reasi #Collapses #Injured #Vehicles #Fall #Rivulet

( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

February 13, 2023
Corpses of 4 Tangdhar Natives Airlifted After 6 Days

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Bereaved Families Extend Gratitude to District Admin Kupwara, DH Handwara Management, Police, BSF
Murtaza Mushtaq | Jahangir Lolabi
Handwara | Kupwara, Feb 13 (GNS): Nearly 6 days after remaining in a mortuary at District Hospital Handwara, corpses of four Tangdhar residents were airlifted in a chopper, lent by Border Security Forces, to their native places here on Monday.
As reported, bodies of four persons namely Shabir Ahmad Khawaja son of Abdul Rasheed, resident of Dildar Karnah, who passed on February 8 at Bemina Srinagar; Sahib Jan wife of Ali Shan Bhadana, resident of Amrohi, who passed at SMHS Hospital Srinagar February 9; Mohammad Saeed son of Mohammad Yaqoob Qureshi, resident of Nawagabra who passed at SKIMS Soura and one Haleema Fatima, resident of Panjtaran, which reached the hospital on Sunday night, were kept in the mortuary at District Hospital Handwara, due to blockade of roads in the aftermath of recent snowfall.
After fervent appeal by the bereaved families to district administration and other relevant offices, district administration Kupwara reciprocated well and requisitioned for the chopper services to airlift the bodies.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray had a few days before told GNS that the office has sent a chopper requisition to lift the bodies as per flying conditions.
The bodies (alongside attendants) were accordingly evacuated in an ambulance from District Hospital Handwara at 8:55 AM to Zangli, from where they were boarded in a chopper, lent by Border Security Forces, at 9:24 AM on Monday.

An official in the knowhow of things told GNS that it normally takes some 20 odd minutes for a chopper to reach Tangdhar from Zangli launchpad.

Before leaving DH Handwara, the bereaved families extended their gratitude to District Administration Kupwara and Handwara Hospital management for making it possible for them to take the bodies back to their native places.
“We are highly thankful to Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattaray, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Handwara Dr. Nissar Ahmad, SSP Kupwara Yougal Manhas and Border Security Forces for all the assistance provided”, they said.
In a somewhat similar case, the district administration alongside DH Handwara, dispatched bodies of two elderly persons to their native places, Karnah and Tangdhar, earlier this month. (GNS)
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#Corpses #Tangdhar #Natives #Airlifted #Days
( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

February 13, 2023