September 2022

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Sep 26 : Two mid-day meal in-charges were suspended on Monday in Zone Langate of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, while action against the two head masters have been initiated, an official said on Monday.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Educational Officer (CEO) Kupwara, Abdul Hameed Fanni on a surprise visit to the schools including high school Phorupath and Guloora in zone Langate suspended the two mid-day meal in-charges of these schools.

An official said that the duo was suspended after finding flaws in serving mid-day meals to the students at high School Phorupath and high school Guloora in Handwara.

“The in-charges were not serving the meals as per the menu framed,” CEO said.

He also said action against the two Headmasters will be initiated as they failed to monitor the process.

“Mid-day meals is the rights of students and there will be no compromise in it,” he added.

The official, however, said that the smart books which have been given to the schools some three months ago have not reached the students, adding that those found guilty will face the action—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 26 : Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole on Monday said that by tonight all trucks stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway will be cleared and that there were natural reasons for halting of trucks on the highway.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Pole said that all trucks including fruit-laden trucks will be cleared on the National Highway by tonight.

He added that trucks and other vehicles are only halted on the highway when there are shooting stones at some places along the highway and due to inclement weather.

“The allegations levelled by fruit growers’ associations that trucks are deliberately halted on the highway are half truth. By tonight all trucks will be cleared on the highway,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement, a spokesperson said that all stranded Jammu bound trucks will be cleared by tonight and around 4000 trucks were on way.

The statement reads that around 46, 000 goods laden trucks including 29000 apple trucks have been sent out of Kashmir since September 01.

“The claim made by certain fruit growers’ association on the halting of fruit trucks is half truth and natural reasons are hindering traffic. We have difficulties in the movement of traffic on the highway due to rains and resultant shooting stones which is beyond human control,” it added.

It further reads that normally apple production in Kashmir is 17 metric ton but due to abundant rainfall, there has been a bumper crop and will cross 21 metric ton.

“Truckers should use the alternate Mughal road to lessen the burden on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, while administration is making all efforts to maintain the flow. Drivers of empty vehicles are also appealed to use Mughal road,” it added—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 26 : Amid the halting of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, top officials on Monday said that the constraints on the highway are likely to get clear in the next 3-4 days and halting traffic for four hours on daily basis is likely to end soon.

A top official while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the government is proactively working so that fruit growers won’t face any problems at any cost and there is the option of the Mughal road available.

“When we took up this issue with fruit growers association, they accepted that they will use Mughal road as well. By choosing the Mughal road, it will take a little more time in reaching Jammu but you won’t be halted there for a day or two,” he said, adding that around 1000 trucks are going through the road but double-decker trucks can use that route on daily basis and only down traffic is allowed on Mughal road.

He added that on the directions of the Chief Secretary NH-44 is being closed for four hours to carry out necessary repair works and it is definitely affecting the movement of traffic.

“We are ready to hear and work on every suggestion of growers and they must come forward, and every step is being

Taken in this regard so that nobody faces any issues on the national highway.”

He further said that they are more than happy to work on solutions, but there are some constraints on the highway, which they can’t overcome this time.

“Necessary repair works are likely to get completed in the next 3-4 days after that halting of traffic for 4 hours won’t be required.”

Meanwhile, top officials informed KNO that a meeting of high-rank officials with the Fruits Growers Association will be held today at around 3 pm in which all options will be discussed.

President Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU), Basheer Ahmad told KNO that they have been called for a meeting at 3 pm today and they are hopeful that government will come up with a solution so that growers won’t face this problem anymore—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Sep 26 : A family from Baramulla on Monday staged a protest at GMC Baramulla, alleging medical negligence by the medicos at the hospital.

According to the family, the 6-months-old baby, was taken to the hospital yesterday morning for the treatment.

However, the family was told that the baby is completely alright, they said, adding that they were asked to leave.

Later in the evening, the child was showing some signs of medical issues and “we took him to the hospital again. We were asked to conduct CBC and UBGS. It came to fore that the baby had infection and was given an antibiotic, Monesef 50, Dolo 100 and ORS following which we were asked to leave home,” father of the child told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“After the health condition of the child deteriorated, we took him again to the hospital this morning. The baby was administered Sefraxzone 1 gm injection. However, after 2 minutes, the child died,” he said.

The family staged a protest against what they termed as the negligence by the authorities there and demanded strict action against the involved medicos.

Meanwhile, Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr Ruby Reshi told KNO that the matter will be looked into and an enquiry team will be constituted in this regard to ascertain the facts.

She, however, added that whosoever is found involved will be dealt strictly as per the law—(KNO)

Pulwama, Sep 24 : Two migrant labourers were shot at and injured in Kharbhatpora locality of Ratnipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday evening.

An official told the news agency, that the labourers identified as Shamshad Ahmad son of Islam Sheikh and Faizan Qadri both residents of Bihar were shot at by militants in Kharbhatpora locality.

He said that soon after the incident both were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be stable.

The official said that the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 22 : The Waqf Board has identified the land for the much-needed cancer hospital in Kashmir at Eidgah area of Srinagar with Chairperson Darkshan Andrabi saying that the foundation stone of the hospital is likely to be laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon.

Talking exclusively with the news agency, Andrabi said that the cancer hospital was set to come up near Hazrat Sultanul Arifeen (RA) shrine, but the Department of Archaeology didn’t allow the construction of a building there.

However, she said that a huge chunk of Waqf land, which is near about 650 kanals in Eidgah is available. “The encroachment will be removed and 60-80 kanals of land will be kept for the cancer hospital so that the poor and needy people will get some respite,” she said, adding that it is the time when the cancer hospital has to come up and if the step is not taken at this juncture, it can never be taken in the future.

Asked about the laying of foundation stone of the Cancer hospital, she said, “Our efforts are on to ensure that she has requested the Home Minister Amit Shah and he will likely lay the foundation stone of the hospital. We are trying to seek some precious time from the Home Minister for laying the foundation stone of the hospital.”

She further said that the Waqf runs with the charity of people, and the people here always remain ready to give donations. “We have been receiving mails and phone calls about the cancer hospital as the people are ready to donate for the great cause,” she said.

Moreover, she said that the shrines are only meant for performing religious obligations and making the religious places political platform will not be allowed at any cost. “The people visit these shrines to get peace, pray and get blessings. To keep the sanctity of these religious places, it has been decided that no political leader should be allowed to make it a political platform,” he said.

“We are trying to set the things correct in the Waqf board and thus the frequent orders are being made with an aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the Waqf,” she said.

“We are the caretakers of these shrines and we will take every decision to maintain the sanctity of the shrines,” she said.

About the arrest of the religious clerics, she said that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been informed about it and the matter will be looked into and the innocents will be freed as happened in the past.

“We also appeal the government to take action against the political leaders, who have been making controversial statements,” she said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 21 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday late evening claimed to have arrested two active hybrid militants along with arms and ammunition in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a joint team of police, Army’s 22 RR and CRPF’s 179 BN during a cordon and search operation arrested two active hybrid militants in Botingoo area of Sopore.

He said that they recovered incriminating materials including 1 pistol, magazine, 08 pistol rounds and a grenade from their possession.

They have been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganai son of Abdul Rahim Ganai and Waseem Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Rasool Lone—both residents of Botingoo.

Meanwhile, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Sopore and further investigation has been taken up in this regard—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 21 : At least eleven persons have been booked for keeping single use plastic (SUP) in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that 11 persons have been booked under section 290 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for keeping banned SUP, while a formal letter has also been sent to the concerned police station for registration of FIR.

Meanwhile, president Muncipal Council Sopore, Masarat Kar said that least 497 kgs of polythene has been seized in 2022, besides a fine of Rs 62,000 has also been imposed on the violators.

She said that 11 FIRs have also been registered in this regard at the concerned police stations in Sopore.

She added that strict action will be taken against the violators selling or using plastic bags and banned plastic items—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 21 : A Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan died after falling off a building in Pandrethan area of Srinagar, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that constable Anuj Kumar of 151 Battalion, A/coy SSB fell from the building at Geology and Mining department in Pandrethan.

He said that the constable was shifted to hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident—(KNO)