November 2022

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 26 (KNO) : A girl student in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district has accused a college professor of sexually harassing her even as a committee has been constituted to probe the allegations.

Salma Ahad, principal of government degree college Sopore told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the student had Thursday lodged a complaint against a college professor for sexually harassing her.

She said a 15-member committee has been constituted to probe the allegations of the girl students so that true shall come to fore.

“The girl student had lodged the complaint before the college harassment protection cell, which has been created for the sole purpose. Following the complaint a committee of 15-members was constituted to look into the allegations,” she said.

She added before the case is referred to police for registration of FIR, the committee members have been asked to conduct a thorough probe on its own to know if the allegations were found to be true.

“The committee has been asked to submit its report by Monday,” the principal said—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Nov 26 : Eighty percent of work on the Wayil Bridge has been completed so far, the Roads & Building Department Ganderbal said while assuring that the bridge will be ready before January next year.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Executive Engineer R&B Department Tatheer Manzoor acknowledged that the locals face a lot of inconvenience due to traffic diversion near the Wayil Bridge. He has appealed to the people to cooperate with the district administration.

He said 80 percent of the work is done and the bridge will be ready before January 2023.

According to people, tourists and pilgrims use the route to visit several famous destinations like Sonamarg, Naranag, and Amarnath shrine and they face difficulty due to the ongoing work.

“Presently, the passage of the bridge is so narrow that even a pedestrian has to come back in case a heavy vehicle crosses,” a local said.

However, an official of the R&B Department said the bridge is for the people, especially those in Ganderbal. “I request to them to exhibit a little more patience for these two months,” he said.

The two-track bridge is approved at the cost of Rs 22 crore and financed by the World Bank. “The span of the bridge is 110 metres and the width is 10.50 metres by the way. The length of the approach roads is 330 metres,” the officials said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 26 : The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday grilled senior Hurriyat leader Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat for nearly 8 hours after he was summoned by the probing agency at JIC Jammu in a case related to militant and Hawala funding.

A top official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Bhat was summoned related to a case of militant and Hawala funding in which former minister Jatendar Singh alias Babu Singh was earlier arrested.

He said Bhat was questioned for nearly eight hours till evening at JIC Jammu after he was summoned by the agency today.

The official added during questioning Bhat revealed many facts regarding the money received from across the border by different Hurriyat leaders in the Valley.

Prof. Bhat heads Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference and in the past he has also been the head of Hurriyat Conference.

Born in Botengo village of Sopore in North Kashmir, Bhat studied Persian, Economics and Political Science at Sri Pratap College in Srinagar and then pursued his post-graduation in Persian and Law at Aligarh Muslim University—(KNO)

Kulgam, Nov 26 : The Security forces detected two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Frisal area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday while the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) have been called in for disposal, an official said.

A top official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two IEDs were detected by forces in Shirpora Frisal area of Kulgam.

He said a Bomb Disposal Squad has been called in for disposal of the explosive device—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 25 : The mercury plummeted further in the Valley as Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 1.4 degree Celsius against minus 0.8°C on the previous night.

The cold wave tightened grip in Kashmir from the last few days amid the forecast of dry spell for the next one week.

The minimum temperature continued to settle below freezing point in the Valley as most places of the Valley recorded sub-zero temperature.

Details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the minimum temperature at world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg improved as against a low of minus 2.4 degree Celsius previous night, it recorded 0.0 degree Celsius in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a temperature of minus 2.4 degree Celsius in the intervening night of Wednesday-Thursday.

The mercury in Kokernag in South Kashmir settled at minus 0.5 degree Celsius while in Qazigund the minimum temperature was recorded a low of minus 2.2 degree Celsius—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 25 : Following the proposal of winter vacations, the School Education Department has decided to announce the closure of schools in a phased manner in Kashmir and winter zones of Jammu division from December-05 to 19.

Top officials in the administration informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it has found it appropriate to announce the closure of schools for winter vacations in a phased manner from December-05.

“For primary level classes upto 5th standard, the vacations will be announced from December-05,” the official said.

It also said, “For 6th to 8th standard, the closure of schools for winter vacations will be announced and applicable from December-12.”

The official further said that in case of secondary and senior secondary level students, vacation will be announced from December-19.

Pertinently, a day before, Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) had proposed the government to announce the winter vacations in a phased manner between December—01 to 10—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 25 : Inspector general of Border Security Force Kashmir, Raja Babu Singh on Friday handed over the command to new IG BSF Kashmir, Ashok Yadav.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said Raja Babu commanded a very challenging Frontier of Kashmir for over one year and Kashmir Frontier has achieved tremendous success under his command.

The statement reads during his tenure, BSF along with Army achieved tremendous success on the LoC resulting in a decline in LoC related incidents.

“His tenure witnessed the mobilization of large numbers of BSF Coys for law and order duties in Kashmir. He was instrumental in the welfare of the “SEEMA PRAHARI” and developing basic infrastructure for troops deployed on LoC,” it added.

It further reads in his farewell message, Raja Babu Singh complimented all ranks of BSF Kashmir Frontier for their dedication and thanked other organisations for their support—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 24 : In an effort to prevent road accidents that occur due to less visibility caused primarily by fog and blind curves, students at Rampura, Rajpora higher secondary school Sopore Thursday installed reflectors on streets and turning points across the tourist destination which usually is prone to accidents.

A rare scene was witnessed at a tourist destination when a group of students of Rampura Rajpora higher secondary, some 35 Kms away from the sub headquarter Sopore installing sign boards at curves and accident prone spots alongside Sopore – Rampura Rajpura road to reduce and prevent the further accidents.

Students while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the sign boards are expected to help drivers notice blind curves from a distance and take evasive action if necessary, besides avoid mishaps alongside the tragic road.

“As the government failed to take any preventive measures along Sopore – Rampura Rajpura road which is considered to be a hotspot of road accidents, we took the measures and installed the road sign board”, said Murtaza Aijaz, a class 9th student.

“The initiative was taken under the Road Safety Programme organized by the school administration,” he said.

“Despite the area being a tourist destination, the concerned authorities have turned a blind eye towards its development. There must be street lights, crash bearers and other necessary facilities as the road is vital and prone to the accidents”, said Musarat Jan, another student.

Bashir Ahmed, principal of the school while impressing the students for Road Safety measures said, that the measures concerned to the road is a social responsibility of everyone. “Accidents have devastated many families thus it is imperative for every sane person to follow traffic rules for their own safety and for others”, he said.

Meanwhile, locals while hailing the efforts of the students, said that the installed traffic sign boards provide valuable information to drivers and other road users, which can lead to prevention of road mishaps by and large—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 23 : Jammu and Kashmir Police Thursday said that the man involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandit, Puran Krishan Bhat has been identified and the accused is missing since November 12.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar tweeted that during investigation of case FIR No 211/2022 of PS Shopian pertaining to killing of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat of Chowdharygund by militants on October 15, one Muhammad Latief Lone S/O Nisar Ah of Check Kachidoora, was found to be involved in the “heinous terror crime.”

“The killer is missing from his home since 12/11/2022 and any person giving any information about accused Mohd Latief Lone will be suitably rewarded by Police,” he said. Pooran was killed at his residence in Chaudry Gund Shopian in October this year—(KNO)