September 2022

Srinagar, Sept 20 : Police on Monday refuted statement of politician Asaduddin Owaisi over Jamia Masjid Srinagar.

In a handout issued, the Srinagar police said that there is a rumour floated by one non-Kashmir based politician that Jamia Masjid is closed. It is clarified that Jamia is fully open. Only on three occasions in total after it opened post-covid was it temporarily shut, this was owing to inputs of militant attack /law and order situation.

The police spokesman further stated that Jamia was then shut only after Jamia Intezamia authorities failed to give assurance & take responsibility of happening inside the Masjid. Non-Kashmir based persons who are far away from reality should behave responsibly and resist making false statements for gaining sensationalism, reads the statement.(GNS)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 20 : The State Investigating Agency (SIA) on Tuesday morning raided the office of Falah-e-Aam Trust in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district in connection with a militancy funding case.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that SIA accompanied by Police conducted raids at the trust in the morning today.

He said that the raid was being conducted in connection with a militancy funding case.

Meanwhile, SIA conducted raids at another Falah-a-Aam Trust office in Nowgam area of Srinagar today morning.

The official said that raids were underway when reports last came in—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Sept 20 : Body of a man, who had drowned into river Jhelum in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district two days ago, was fished out on Tuesday morning.

An official told the news agency, that the man identified as Rafiq Ahmed Mir (45) of Drangbal village of Baramulla had drowned into the Jhelum two days ago.

He said that after hectic efforts his body was fished out from the river today morning.

“After completion of all medico-legal formalities, body was handed over to the family for last rites,” he said.

The official said that police have already registered a case in this regard and are investigating the matter—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Sep 19 : Work on prestigious Zojila tunnel is in full swing with Nilgar 1 tunnel ready while lining of Nilgrar 2 tunnel has commenced, officials said.

They said that 4 km length two each from Kashmir and Ladakh of the main Zoji La tunnel has been completed so far.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the tunnel is envisaged to provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh and the MEIL has paced up the work to ensure its timely completion.

Project Manager Megha engineering and infrastructures Ltd Harpal Singh told KNO that of total 13.5 kilometres, work on four kilometres of the main Zojila tunnel has been completed besides sub structure of three major bridges 1 km cut and cover has been completed so far.

The work on the tunnel was started in the year October 2020. The highway will have two twin-tube tunnels, 4 bridges, and 2 snow galleries, 8 cut and cover structures ,catch dam and deflection dam and lots more.

He added that in addition, a 2,350 metre concrete ‘cut and cover’ tunnel will be built, along with 3 ventilation caverns or shafts.

“Works also include construction of portals, control buildings, ventilation buildings and muck disposables along the route,” it said.

With the construction of the tunnel, distance from Baltal to Minamarg will come down to 13 kilometres from the present 40 km and travel time is expected to be cut by an hour and a half.

The project is expected to lead to integrated development of both the UTs.

The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Kashmir, which is otherwise hampered during winters as Zojila pass is covered in snow and avalanches during winters—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sep 19 : Growers in Sopore are up in arms against halting of trucks laden with fruit on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), President buyers association fruit mandi Sopore, Mudasir Ahmed Bhat said, that they have suffered heavy losses because of continued blockage of the highway.

He alleged that the authorities are unnecessarily stopping trucks and it seems they deliberately want them to suffer.

“Earlier, we had a meeting with the chief secretary and we were assured that the trucks won’t be halted but nothing has been done on the ground to ease our miseries. Instead our trucks are being hated again and again,” Mudasir added.

Razza ur Rehman, a Bangladeshi national who is dealing with fruit trade at Fruit Mandi Sopore from last 15 years told KNO that they are now on a verge to wind up the business as they are facing huge losses.

“It was earlier taking seven days to reach fruit trucks from Sopore fruit mandi to Bangladesh but now it’s taking at least 12-15 days. Upon reaching the destiny the items we supply get spoiled and are of no use”, Raza added.

Similarly, scores of Bangladeshi nationals who deal with the fruit trade urge administration to take immediate necessary steps for transportation of fresh fruit-laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway without any hindrance.

Notably, fruit growers and buyers across the Kashmir valley are continuously protesting time to time over the halting of trucks along the national highway—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 19 (KNO): Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic, Vikramjit Singh on Monday directed all the SSPs of traffic to take immediate necessary measures to ensure smooth passage to the fruit laden trucks.

The directions were passed days after the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU) staged protests in all Fruit Mandi’s of the Valley against what they termed as the deliberate stoppage of apple and pear loaded trucks on various spots of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), IGP Traffic J&K Srinagar chaired a meeting at Traffic Headquarters here to discuss the issue of movement of trucks from Kashmir and to further facilitate their movement.

The meeting was attended by Directors of Horticulture and Agriculture Kashmir, JKHPMC and other stake holders including fruit growers and traders association of J&K Union Territory.

During the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held on issues pertaining to the movement of trucks carrying fruits through the National Highway and other roads.

The Traders present in the meeting raised their concerns and urged for the movement of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) from the Kashmir Valley.

After detailed discussion, the IGP Traffic directed all SSPs of traffic including SSP National Highway to take immediate necessary measures so that fruit laden trucks are provided a smooth passage and are not stranded. “Besides, extra time may be given to down convoy to ensure clearance of stranded fruit laden vehicles and it was assured no vehicle would be allowed for up traffic on down HMV days to ensure hassle free movement.”

To ensure full transparency, IGP Traffic asked the Horticulture department and Horticulture associations to depute their representative with Traffic officials at Banihal and Qazigund for ensuring smooth movement of fruit trucks.

The matter of decongesting at Ramban and Banihal market was taken up with DC Ramban, who was kind enough to issue the orders without any delay for removal of encroachments and declaring Banihal market (main congestion point as no parking zone) so that vehicle traffic movement could be facilitated, the statement said.

Department of Horticulture was asked for pasting of stickers of an “Apple” picture on the windscreen of each fruit laden trucks for ease of identification, so that the Apple carrying truck could be parked separately and released on priority, the statement said, adding that it was decided that a Whatsapp group would be created at Traffic Hqrs level in which all stakeholders including representatives of Horticulture associations shall be added for timely redressal of grievances of fruit growers.

As HMVS ply on NH-44 on alternate days, it was suggested to the representatives of various trade associations to follow the time table for release of trucks on the National Highway and dispatch their vehicle accordingly, so that fruit trucks loaded with fruit would not get stuck at Qazigund, the statement said.

It was also suggested to Directors of Horticulture and Agriculture to use Mughal Road on those days when HMVS plays from Jammu to Srinagar on NHW-44.

Meanwhile, IGP Traffic J&K assured the participant traders and fruit growers that frequent review meetings will be held in the coming days to ensure hassle free movement of fruit laden trucks and implementation of decisions—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 19 : The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Monday ordered ban on Dastaar Bandi (Turban-tying) ceremonies of people particularly political leaders at all shrines and religious places governed by the board across the Union Territory.

In an order, J&K Waqf Board chairperson stated that Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievement will be allowed with prior permission.

The order reads that he Board is in receipt of a number of complaints regarding unethical use of platform of Ziyarats to appease influential people, particularly the political leaders, through Turban-tying (Dastaar Bandi) ceremony at Ziyarats / Khangahs.

“The leaders continue to be invited to the shrines and their Dastaar Bandi is carried out on the basis of party affiliations to promote political agenda at sacred religious places,” it reads.

It reads that chairperson J&K Wagf Board has taken a serious view of the matter, and the Board is of the view that religious places like, Ziyarats / Khanqahs/Masjids/Darul Ulooms, can only be used to promote religious activities, and Dastaar Bandi at such places can only be carried out to felicitate people for their achievements in the religious field.

“Now therefore, Dastaar Bandi of people at all religious places, governed by the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, is hereby completely banned. However, Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievements shall be allowed with prior permission of the Central Office Waqf Board,” it reads.

It added that all the administrators and Executive Officers are directed to ensure strict implementation of this order, and any violation shall immediately be brought to the notice of the Central Office for legal action in the matter—(KNO)

Jammu, Sep 19 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Monday said that militancy in J&K was on crutches and Kishtwar district it was almost zero as one or two militants are active in the area who will be eliminated soon.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, the DGP as per news agency, said that militancy in J&K was on crutches and those remaining will soon be either arrested or killed. “In Kishtwar, there are just one or two militants active who will be arrested of killed very soon,” the J&K police chief said.

He said that in J&K means of entertainment are being revived again. “Yesterday, LG Manoj Sinhaji visited two districts of South Kashmir—Pulwama and Shopian. He revived theater facilities for youth as a means of entertainment,” DGP Singh said, adding that “Srinagar will soon see multiplex functional which will be a great means of entertainment of its youth.”

He said that there is a long list of movies which famous directors want to shoot in J&K for which this place was once popular. “I am sure that time is not far when J&K youth will themselves direct movies of different nature,” Singh said.

To a query about Hurriyat Conference, he said Hurriyat was nowhere in J&K at present. “But a new chapter of Hurriyat has been opened in Pakistan to provoke people of J&K. Once such example was its band call on August 5 this year which was totally ignored by the people of J&K,” he said, adding that there was no bandh anywhere in J&K and instead there were huge celebrations everywhere.

Replying to a query about Madrasas in J&K, he said majority of such institutions are doing great work by honing the talent of youth. “Some may be used for misguiding youth and such institutions are under watch,” he said, adding that “watchdogs of peace in J&K were active and doing their best to ensure peace becomes a permanent feature. Police, and other security forces, besides civil administration are working day and night to cement peace in the UT.”

The DGP said that social media propaganda to foment trouble and to lure youth towards violence and drugs are being countered effectively by the security forces and administration—(KNO)