February 2022

Ramban, Feb 27: The 270-km Jammu—Srinagar national highway was once again closed for vehicular movement on Sunday after fresh landslides occurred at Magarkoot area of Ramban along the highway.

“The Jammu—Srinagar national highway is closed for vehicular movement due to landslides stones at Magarkoot,” SSP, traffic, national highway, Shabir Malik told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

He said restoration work is going on as men and machinery have been already been pressed to clear the of debris.

The highway was today open for the both way traffic, official said—(KNO)

Srinagar, February 26: Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday reviewed security at Navyug tunnel for this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

Official sources told GNS that IGP Kashmir along with IG CRPF, DIG Police, DIG CRPF, Army officers, SSP Anantnag and Kulgam visited Navyug tunnel and held security meeting.

They said the SSP Anantnag and SSP Kulgam briefed the IGP in detail regarding the security measures.

An Expert from the private firm also demonstrated his IT interventions especially use of RFID for management of Yatries convey before all officers, they added.(GNS)

Srinagar, Feb 26: A pedestrian was killed in a road accident in Panzinara area of Srinagar outskirts on Saturday.

Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a pedestrian identified as Bashir Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir of Dangerpora Panzinara was hit by Wagon-R vehicle at Panzinara area.

They said he was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, local police has registered a case in this regard and started investigations—(KNO)

Poonch, Feb 26: Police and army have recovered 15 packets carrying ‘heroin-like substance’ near Balakote area of Mendhàr in Poonch district, official said.

A police officer told GNS that police party led by SDPO Mendhàr Sheezen Bhat under the Supervision of SSP Poonch Rohit Baskotra and on the direction of DIG Rajouri Poonch Range Vivek Gupta recovered the fifteen packets along with army. He said that a case has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

Srinagar, Feb 26: Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather Saturday said that schools will reopen as announced already and the government was prepared for it at all levels.

“We are ready for the opening of the schools following the decision by the LG administration. SOPs are to be followed from moving for home to reaching school,” he said while talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by Zadibal PHC to facilitate the covid warriors.

“SOPs are to be followed in the bus or matador to be boarded by the student. At the school entrance, there would be thermal scanning. It will be seen if the student has put up a mask and that too properly,” he said according to the GNS correspondent, adding, “If it is seen that any student is febrile (having or showing the symptoms of a fever), he or she will be sent back home.”

He said there are already directions regarding social distancing and if there are 80 students in a classroom and social distancing cannot be maintained, then there have to be 40 students at a time. “Use of sanitizers and cleanness will be there,” he said, adding, “There would be random testing and if any student comes out to be positive, he or she will be properly isolated.” He said schools will reopen and “we are ready. Government is ready. The Directorate of Education is ready.”

He also thanked the media for its role in busting myths about the vaccination. “There has been a good response to vaccination in the 15-17 age-group. Vaccination in the age group of more than 60-year-age with co-morbidities stands completed,” he said, adding, “Vaccination is important and it is with it that the third wave will soon come to an end.”

He said that in every district, a pediatric ICU is being set up along with pediatric wards. “Every district has a facility of oxygen and there will be tertiary-level treatment now available at the doorstep. People of Kupwara will have it there, Kulgam will get it in their own district,” he said, adding, “Within two months, the entire system will get started and this is a big change happening.”

He also urged people not to lower their guard and continue to maintain covid-19 appropriate behavior. “We have seen there was complacency after the drop in the second wave. Vaccination remains the key and if there is someone who has not taken the same, he or she should take it.” (GNS)

Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the outside world, was closed for vehicular movement due to landslides, shooting stones at many places en route the thoroughfare and snow accumulation around the NAVYUG Tunnel.

Official sources told GNS massive landslide has occurred at Cafeteria Morh, Ramban while there is rock slide at Samroli.

“Jammu-Srinagar highway closed for vehicular movement due to landslides, shooting stones at many places on highway and snow accumulation around the NAVYUG Tunnel,” a traffic department official said. Sources said that one person sitting in a truck (JK05F-1003) was injured after hit by shooting stone at Nihar Ramban around 4 a.m. He was shifted to hospital in an ambulance, they said.

Also, Chatroo-Kishtwar road has been blocked near Gagamar, sources said.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also,Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said. (GNS)

In connection with the forthcoming observance of Mehraj-un-Nabi (SAW), the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Friday visited Dargah Hazratbal to review the arrangements being made at the Shrine.

Besides, CEO, Wakaf Board, Mufti Fareed ud Din and Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Syed Haneef Balkhi Haneef Balkhi other officers including Chief Planning Officer, CMO, Srinagar Tehsilsar North, senior officers of PHE,  R&B, PDD, SMC and other line departments accompanied the DC during the visit.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner directed the officers of all line Departments to put in place special arrangements for smooth observance of the pious day of Mehraj-un-Nabi (SAW) at the Shrine for the Devotees.

The DC asked the PHE authorities to ensure adequate water supply at the Shrine so that visitors do not face any inconvenience. He instructed them to keep sufficient number of  water tankers at the premises to cater to the demand.

Similarly, the PDD Officers were asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the Shrine during the auspicious days of night prayers as well as on the day of display of Holy Relic and keep proper power backup to tackle any power breakdown.

With regard to clearance of snow, the DC asked the concerned to ensure snow accumulated in premises and approach road of the Shrine is cleared well before the observance of Mehraj-un-Nabi (SAW).

The DC also directed the SMC officials to deploy sufficient men an machinery at the venue to ensure proper cleanliness in and around the Shrine.

The DC also directed for setting up of Medical camp with adequate number of Doctors and paramedics, besides an ambulance service and other first aid facilities in the premises of Hazratbal Shrine.

Earlier, the DC was appraised by the CEO, Wakf Board about the arrangements being made by the Wakf Board for smooth observance of the holy religious occasion during which thousands of people are exepected to visit to take a glimpse of the holy Relic and offer special Prayers.

The members of the management of the Shrine also urged the Deputy  Commissioner for augmentation of other facilities at the Shrine.

The DC issued on the spot directions to the  concerned for taking immediate augumentation measures for the same.

Later,  the Deputy Commissioner  offered special prayers at the Shrine and prayed for prosperity and holistic wellbeing of the people.

Srinagar Mayor Mr Junaid Azim Mattu along with Commissioner SMC Mr Athar Amir Khan visited Dargah Hazratbal Shrine to review variuos arrangements for Mehraj Alam Urs.

He was accompanied by various senior officers of Corporation including Joint Conmissioner Work, Tejinder Singh, Secretary SMC Mudasir Hussain Famda, Executive Engineers, officials from line departments including Health, Water works, PDD.

Mr Mattu directed the concerned officials to ensure quality sanitation so that no garbage is to be seen anywhere in the lanes, bye-lanes, main roads in and around the Shrine.

Chief sanitation officer apprised Mayor that additional facility of Hopper vehicles and sweeping machines has been deputed for the URS days..

Besides this an an electric team has also been deputed for restoration of all the defunct lights in the area.

Mattu further more directed SMC officials to depute additional facility of Hoper vehicles as well as Roberts and Sweeping machines in the Hazratbal ward round the clock.

Besides deputing Electric team for restoration of all the defunct lights in the respective areas SMC has also installed additional lights as required.

The ward officers has been directed to keep Liaison with the Urs Officers for arrangements of any conservancy item / transport facility / Fumigation machine, etc

Mayor also interacted with the URS management committee and ensured them full assistance.

He directed the concerned staff to maintain A Class sanitation and provide necessary arrangements so that devotees do not face any inconvenience during the URS days.

The concerned on the occassion were directed to ensure availability of electricity with the proper backup available on the spot.

It was also directed to the concerned to ensure adequate water supply for the devotees on Mehraj Ul Alam .

Mayor directed to keep the drinking water tankers available at Hazratbal where a large number of devotees assemble for prayer.

Similarly a special team of Dog catching squad was directed to be deputed for curbing dog menace to avoid any inconvenience to the people on the occassion.

Bandipora Feb 25 : Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad today convened a meeting at Mini Secretariate to review the progress of Education sector.

During the meeting, the DDC took a comprehensive review of the various aspects of education sector including performance of students in recently declared class 10th and 12th results.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Bandipora Afsar Ali Khan, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad, Chief Education Officer Bandipora Ab. Roub Shaad, Principal DIET Matiuallah Masoodi, Dy.CEO, Principals and Headmasters of Various Higher secondary Schools and High Schools.

During the meeting detailed presentation of recently declared 10th, 12th result and preparedness for reopening of schools was presented by Chief Education Officer and the results were analysed and discussed.

The expert academicians presented their views suggestions and recommendations in the backdrop of the results aiming at improving results in future.

Speaking on the occassion, Dr Owais said there are challenges in every field but it is our responsibilty to find the way. He said the results needs to be analysed threadbare to identify the loopholes so that those can be rectified in future.

DC said, Bandipora being the land of Alim Adad and Aab, should lead the education sector. He said it is our collective responsibilty to ensure quality education through Govt. Schools.

He said, District administration is extensivly working for progress and better outcomes from Government Schools. He assured every possible support to uplift quality of education sector. He urged to incorporate expert views for better results.

Joint Director Planning said Quarterly or monthly assessment are essential for preparing the student for exams of any nature. He said, it is the teacher who can monitor regular performance of student regularly

CEO Bandipora appraised the chair that Department has took up rationalisation zone wise for maintaining teacher student ration. He said we have sufficient and competent teachers available who also worked tirelessly during covid.

The meeting also discussed the reopening of schools, vaccination of students and other logistics. DC Bandipora directed officers to ensure all arrangements are put in place well before the reopening of schools to ensure smooth teaching learning process.

The parents of missing 8-year-old boy who vanished from his home at Awoora village of Kupwara district without a trace 11 days ago are pleading for his safe return.

As per the family, Talib Hussain son of Manzoor Ahmad Khan disappeared moments after he left home on the fateful day.

“We searched every noon and corner but no to avail,” inconsolable parents of Talib told GNS.

“I am dying with each passing second. I don’t know if I’m alive or dead in absence of Talib,” the minor’s mother said. “We request those have taken away our son to have some mercy and for God’s sake return him to us” she said as tears starts rolling down her cheek.

“Our hand folded request to abductor (s) is to return our Talib. We promise that we will not take any action against the person. Just return our missing son,” the parents said.

When contacted SSP Kupwara said that investigations are underway.
“We have questioned a number of people and have also announced reward for anyone who helps in tracing the innocent child,” he said, adding, “A team under the command of additional SP is investigating the matter and exploring all the possible angles to trace the child.”(GNS)