SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency on Saturday said it seized three vehicles used by some accused persons for militant activities in the Kashmir Valley.
Quoting NIA spokesperson news agency KNO reported that the vehicles were seized under section 25 (1) of the UAPA in case under investigation of NIA viz RC-01/2020/NIA/JMU.
The statements read these vehicles were used by accused persons for the furtherance of militant activities in the Kashmir Valley.
“The case pertains to arrest of 04 accused persons, including two active terrorists of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen (HM), who were going out of J&K in order to commit militant acts, in a Hyundai i20 Car. Based on information, this car was intercepted at Al-Stop naka on Srinagar-Jammu Highway near Mir Bazar Police Post Kulgam on 11.01.2020. During search, one AK-47 Rifle, 03 pistols, 01 hand grenade, ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered and seized,” it reads.
It reads the case was initially registered in PS Qazigund on 11.01.2020 and re-registered by NIA on 17.01.2020.
“Investigations have revealed that the Hyundai i20 owned and used by accused Irfan Shafi Mir, Maruti 800 registered in the name of Mushtaq Ahmad Shah and used by his son accused Syed Naveed Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, and Hyundai i20 Sportz registered and used by Tanveer Ahmad Wani of Humhama were used for militant activities. Further investigations in the case are in progress,” it added.
SRINAGAR: An unidentified male body was found at Waskura area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district this morning, official sources said.
“The body was spotted by locals, following which they informed the police,” news agency GNS quoted the official sources as having said.
Confirming it, a police official said that a team is at the spot to collect necessary details. “We will share the relevant details, once we collect them,” the official further said.
SRINAGAR: As part of the Khelo India initiative, the Indian Army organized a Women’s Snow Cricket tournament in Panzgam village of Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Friday.
Army organises women’s snow cricket tournament in J-K’s Kupwara
The event witnessed a total of four teams from Kralpora and Meelyal Block.
PRO (Defence) Srinagar in a statement said that it was a first-of-its-kind event in Kupwara, wherein young girls played cricket on a snowy field, demonstrating the community’s passion for sports.
“The girls engaged enthusiastically in the game with strong passion,” said the army spokesman.
Public representatives and locals from the area were present to witness the first-ever winter sports tournament for girls in this area, he said.
Such frequent events conducted by Indian Army in Kupwara have seen widespread participation of local women, he added.
Several initiatives by the Army like establishment of skill development centres and organising competitions in schools to promote participation in extracurricular activities and sports are bringing a positive change. Indian Army is committed to play a role in encouraging sports amongst local youth,” said PRO (Defence) Srinagar in a statement.
SRINAGAR: Traffic movement on Gagangeer-Sonamarg road was restored on Friday after remaining closed for 10 days due to heavy snowfall in the area.
Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the road was closed last week following heavy snowfall and snow slides particularly near Hung area.
“As precautionary measure, traffic on the road was temporarily suspended, however, snow clearance operations were going on in full swing,” he said.
He added after improvement in weather conditions snow clearance were completed and traffic on the road was restored today.
The official said vehicles with anti-skid chains will only be allowed to ply on the road.
JAMMU: Chief Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL, Jammu has informed that the power supply to Bari Brahmana, Industrial Area, Vijaypur, Bishnah, Jakh, Birpur Complex, and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 19 from 8 am to 2 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to Kathua City, CTM, Industry Feeder, Hatli Morh, Nagri and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 19 from 9 am to 12 noon.
Likewise, the power supply to Kalu Chak, BB Town, PHE, Industrial Area Birpur Complex, Bari-Brahmana and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 19 from 10 am to 5 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to Raghunath Bazar, Residency Road, Wazarat Road, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazar and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 19 from 9 am to 2 pm.
Likewise, the power supply to Yatri Niwas, Bhawani Nagar, Gole Gujral, Talab Tillo, Trilokpur, Panjpeer, NITCO Lane and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 20 from 9 am to 3 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to GhoManhasa, Marh, Gajansoo and adjoining areas shall remain affected on February 20 from 9 am to 3 pm.
SRINAGAR: An unidentified body was found on Friday in Gole Market area of Karan Nagar here, officials said.
Quoting officials the news agency KNO reported that an unidentified body that was found today at Gole market area Karan Nagar has been taken to SMHS hospital here.
An official at SMHS said that the body of a person aged 20-22 years has been brought to the hospital. He said that the identification of the body is being ascertained by police.
SRINAGAR: The mercury continued to show an upward trend with all places in Kashmir Valley barring Pahalgam recording above sub-zero level minimum temperature on Friday.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that Srinagar recorded a low of 2.8°C against the previous night’s 1.3°C . Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was above normal by 2.7°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 1.8°C against 0.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.9°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.9°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 0.6°C against minus 0.8°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.2°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 7.0°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 0.6°C against minus 0.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 12.9°C against 11.2°C on the previous night. It was 2.4°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.2°C (above normal by 3.9°C), Batote 5.8°C (above normal by 5.8°C), Katra 12.2°C (4.1°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 6.4°C (6.1°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 2.1°C and minus 6.6°C respectively, the official said.
The MeT department has predicted occasional cloudy but mainly dry weather till February 18 and possibility of light rain and snow in plains and light to moderate snow in middle and higher reaches during late night of 19th to 20th afternoon.
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.
SRINAGAR: The air quality in Kashmir has been consistently deteriorating for the past three years, reveals the data compiled by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board (PCB).
Quoting Pollution Control Board (PCB) data news agency KNO reported that the air quality has been deteriorating more in winters and Lasjan area has the most polluted air.
The Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM or PM 10) levels at all four stations in Srinagar have shown a steep rise in the last three years.
At the Raj Bagh station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 139.26 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 73.88 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 89.61 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Khonmoh station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 162.86 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 120.03 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 163.97 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Khrew station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 132.65 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 119.48 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 127.98 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
At the Lasjan station, the yearly average of PM-10 level for year 2021-22 was 227.80 µg/m³ against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m³ while at the same station it was 197.74 µg/m³) in year 2019-20 and 235.29 µg/m³ in year 2020-21.
As per the data, the highest RSPM levels have been reported in winter months as the RSPM level in year 2021at Rajbagh and Khonmoh were 237.41 µg/m³ and 255.43 µg/m³ respectively in month of December while at Khrew and Lasjan the levels were highest in month of November with 176.6 µg/m³ at Khrew and 330.08 µg/m³ at Lasjan.
However, as per data the Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels in Srinagar have been found below the permissible mark as average NO2 levels at Rajbagh, Khonmoh, Khrew and Lasjan were 20.27 , 20.09, 22.10, 20.84 respectively in year 2021 as compared to the yearly permissible level of 40 µg/m³ for NO2 while SO2 levels were below 11 at all stations.
Notably, Director SKIMS Dr Parvaiz Koul had recently said that yearly around 10 thousand deaths are attributed to particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) exposure and there is need to control it by countering it.
He said that air pollution is the main issue of J&K due to the increasing number of vehicles, construction, brick kilns, cement factories which emit pollutants and significantly pollute our air and affect “our health which makes air pollution a health issue.”
He said the measures, which can contribute to decreasing air pollution include using fewer vehicles, decreasing the use of unleaded petrol, decreasing use of biomass fuels, less use of Kangri, and using vented heaters.
He said air pollution is affecting every single organ of the body and ”we have work to reduce the pollution.”
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended the 3-day long Mahashivratri Mahotsav at Jagti Colony and Migrant Camp Buta Nagar.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha attended 3-day long Mahashivratri Mahotsav at Jagti Colony & Buta Nagar
In order to facilitate Kashmiri Pandit Community in Camps & Non-Camp Areas, Relief Organisation has brought together 20 Line Departments for the Mahashivratri Mahotsav.
Extending the greetings of Mahashivratri in advance, the Lt Governor said the festival is the celebration of Kashmiri culture & the spiritual-cultural heritage of the country.
It is the symbol of our ancient values and ethos. Kashmiri Pandit brothers & sisters living in different parts of the country & the world have kept this tradition alive, he added.
“Mahashivratri or Herath is the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits & festivity has been aptly named ‘Waliv Samav- Let’s Come Together’ to celebrate & seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This is a welcome step by the Relief and Rehabilitation department,” said the Lt Governor.
Our festivals are also the source of self-awakening. I pray to Lord Shiva for the happiness, prosperity, good health and well-being of all, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor said, keeping in view Mahashivratri festival, full salaries of all PM package & other minority community employees who have resumed their duties in Kashmir have been released.
He also highlighted the initiatives of the administration for extension of seamless public service delivery to Kashmiri Pandit community at their doorsteps.
All the issues of the Migrant Kashmiri Pandit community are being taken up for their resolution with utmost sensitivity, said the Lt Governor.
Special Governance Camp is a testimony to our commitment for welfare of Kashmiri Pandit Community. The Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and other line departments are ensuring 100% saturation of the benefits of all social security schemes, entrepreneurship development schemes and skilling programs, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor urged all the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community to avail the benefits of the special camps. Administration is always ready to resolve all the genuine issues. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that your problems & grievances are resolved promptly and effectively, he further added.
Jammu Kashmir Government always stands by you. Your safety is our top priority and we are taking all possible measures to ensure that. This is the commitment of the Government of India and Prime Minister, the Lt Governor said.
You have suffered a lot for three long decades. I pray that the day will come when you return to your homes with honour. I hope with your return Kashmir will find its lost glory, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also shared the progress of construction of housing units for PM Package employees in Kashmir.
Earlier, it was difficult to get Land for construction of 6000 dwellings but now land has been identified and except for two sites, the work is in full swing. 1200 dwellings will be handed over by April and by December more than 2500 dwellings would be handed over, he informed.
Beneficiaries identified for various schemes during Special Governance Camp on 4th February were also handed over aids and authority letters on the occasion.
Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation and other senior officers were also present.
JAMMU: Secretary Culture, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah today took an extensive tour of Shri Ranbir Singh Library here and took stock of facilities being provided to the public there.
He held an extensive tour of the library and visited different sections of the public library viz reading room section, children section, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Section, automation, reference section etc.
On the occasion, he also interacted with the students who visit the library regularly, and enquired about the facilities being provided there.
He also asked the students for suggestions and the requirements, if any, to make the library better and smooth access for them.
During his visit, he was informed that last year 2.26 lakh people visited the 131 public libraries of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the tour, he was accompanied by Special Secretary, Trishala Kumari; Director Libraries & Research, M Rafi; Deputy Secretary Culture, Abdul Qyume and other officers.
The secretary highlighted the need for certain transformative changes in the department to better serve the public in this digital age and to diversify these public libraries to address the needs of today’s library members.
He also suggested exposure visits and trainings to the staff and officials of Libraries Department in order to enhance the personal and professional level skills for effective delivery of library and information services.
The secretary underlined the adoption of new technology in the Department of Libraries & Research which would eventually increase the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day library work and services and added that information technology interventions in public libraries would help the readers’ services also.
Shah urged the officers to make the public libraries attractive to youngsters by focusing on youngsters and youth engagement by drawing them towards libraries of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that youngsters can be attracted to these libraries by employing several steps like by offering diverse lineup programmes, organizing public library trips for school students by and providing cutting-edge technology.
He also suggested increased public participation by opening invitations to all stakeholders for sharing ideas which can be implemented and asked people to post their suggestions on [email protected] in order to make library experience better and beautiful for all age groups.
