January 2023

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 11 : Residents have urged authorities to reconstruct a retaining wall damaged 4 years ago at Qazi Hamam in Baramulla’s old town.

Residents told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the wall was constructed for the safety of people alongside Bagh e Islam road in old town Baramulla which connects Drangbal and other areas to avert any mishap due to landslides or shooting stones.

The area is prone to landslides and shooting stones. But the wall was damaged some 4 years ago and the authorities concerned have been failing to reconstruct it.

“Knowing the sensitivity of the area very well, the officials in the department cite excuses including tendering issue,” said Ali Mohammed of Qazi Hamam.

A board installed at the site by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department reads, ‘the area is prone to shooting stones & rock sliding. The inhabitants & people passing this road are advised to take self-protection accordingly’.

Meanwhile, an official of the R & B department in Baramulla denied they have received any representation from locals in this regard. But he assured them they will look into the issue—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 11 : Several higher reaches of Kashmir including the famous ski-resort, Gulmarg experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday while the plains including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, received light rainfall, bringing down the temperature further across Kashmir. The weatherman, however, predicted more snow and rains in Kashmir till Friday.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that snowfall has occurred at multiple places including Gurez, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Machil, Karnah, Tangdhar and other places of Kashmir today.

The plains of Kashmir including Srinagar have received light rainfall today, leading to the plummeting of the maximum temperature further in the Valley.

Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus told KNO that there will be a gradual increase in intensity and distribution of snow or rain as the day progresses with main activity towards evening and night.

“Some places, mainly higher reaches may receive heavy snowfall,” he said, adding that on Thursday, there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate snow and rain in plains of Jammu.

He further added that light snowfall or rains would occur at a few places on Friday.

Moreover, Lotus as per the forecast said that the weather would remain mainly dry from January 14-17.

Pertinently, a fresh Western Disturbance has affected Jammu and Kashmir from today, which would result in light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches and light snowfall in plains as well.

Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall has led to the closure of Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, Mughal Road, Karnah-Kupwara and Bandipora-Gurez roads.

Officials said that the roads have been closed as precautionary measures after the fresh snowfall led to the slippery conditions of the roads.

However, Srinagar-Jammu highway remained open for vehicular movement.

Moreover, Police established Emergency Helpdesk Control Rooms for the general public in order to facilitate them in case of any untoward incident or distress. For any emergency or exigency, general public can also dial 112.

For Bandipora district, the helpline numbers are; PCR Bandipora 01957225278, 9596767430, ASP Bandipora 9596767453, DYSP HQRS Bandipora 9596767440, SDPO Gurez 7006795292, SHO PS Gurez 7006250037, SHO PS Tulail 7780922131, DO Police Post Izmarg 9419991882, SHO PS Bandipora 9596767411, SHO PS Pethkote 9596767415, SHO PS Aragam 9596767421, DO Police Post Aloosa 9596767416, DO Police Post Sumlar 9596767413, DO Police Post Ajas 9596767452, SHO PS Hajin 9596767431 & SHO PS Sumbal 9596767441.

For district Budgam, the helpline numbers include PCR Budgam 01951-255207, 01951-255042, 8082567612, SHO Budgam 9419000538, SHO Magam 9906449794, SHO Khansahib 9596000212, SHO Chadoora 7006411196, SHO Charar-e-Sharief 9797279660, SHO Khag 9419905840, SHO Breewah 7006252476, DO Humhama 6005599737, DO Soibugh 9906000474, DO Narbal 9797626526, DO Waterihail 9419007052, DO Pakerpora 9797985415, Out-Post Hardipanzo 9596203940, DO Mouchwa 9797290222.

For district Kulgam, the helpline numbers include Police Control Kulgam (PCR) 01931260486, 7889786112, ASP Kulgam 9906605555, DySP Hqrs Kulgam 7051510654, SDPO DH Pora 7051510676, SHO PS Kulgam 7051510661, SHO PS Yaripora 7051510662, SHO PS DH Pora 7051510663, SHO PS Devsar 7051510664, SHO PS Qazigund 7051510665, SHO PS Qaimoh 7051510667, SHO PS Manzgam 7051510671, SHO PS Behibagh 7051510669, SHO PS Kund 7051510670, IC PP Frisal 7051510668, IC PP JT 7051510680, IC PP Mirbazar 7051510679.

PCR Srinagar 0194-2477567, 9596222550, 9596222551, PCR Ganderbal 01942416564, 01942416478, 9906668731, PCR Awantipora 01933247369, 7051404001, PCR Shopian 9596768831, 01933-261891, 9596768831, PCR Anantnag 01932-222870, 01932-222100, 9596777669, PCR Handwara 01955262295, 9906767076, PCR Sopore 01954-222312, 01954-225333, 9596773024, PCR Baramulla 01952234410, 01952237830, 9596767768, PCR Kupwara 01955-252451, 9596152621, 7051404938, PCR Pulwama 01933-241280, 01933-241986, 8491942867, 9070123536 and PCR Kashmir: 0194-2506506, 0194-2506507.

Police also appealed to people to avail any kind of assistance by dialing 112—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 10 : Students of government degree colleges boys and women in Baramulla district on Wednesday held a protest over what they called an “unfair” evaluation of examination papers by Kashmir University.

As per reports of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the students held a protest demonstration near GDC women in Baramulla, amid sloganeering against the Kashmir University authorities.

The students of 6th semester alleged unfair evaluation of examination papers by the authorities.

“Kashmir University is playing with our careers and it is not for the first time that university has done this. It has become a routine for KU to create trouble for students and play with our careers,” a student said.

The student said how it is possible that their papers would be evaluated within four days and it seems they have just done it as a mere formality. “How is it possible to have zero in any subject?”, she asked, saying most students have got either zero or one mark in chemistry.

The protesting students appealed to the KU authorities to look into the matter and save their careers—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Jan 10 : Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Kupwara on Tuesday warned of strict action against private institutions for taking tuitions during winter period.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that those institutions (private) imparting the winter tuition would be dealt with strictly for violating the government orders.

Directing the institutions not to impart the winter tuitions at their premises said, that in concurrence with the government orders already published by the School education department, schools violating the orders shall be strictly dealt with as per the standing norms of the government.

An order copy in this regard, a copy of which lies with the KNO reads, that All the Registered Private Institutions of the Zone are hereby strictly directed not to impart any type of Winter Tuition in their premises.

“Schools violating the orders shall be dealt with seriously as per the standing norms of the Govt,” it said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Jan 10 : A 30-year-old man from north Kashmir’s Handwara who claims to be Kashmir’s lone food carving artist insists skill is key to career growth in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Javeed Ahmed Malik of Panditpora in Handwara did his master’s degree in tourism and travel management and a diploma in food production from Institute of hotel management in Srinagar. Besides he has done a diploma in ice-carving from Chennai and a short term course of a fruit and vegetable carving from Thailand.

Currently a faculty member at food craft Institute Jammu, he has been a chef at well-known reputed hotels in the Valley for eight years.

Malik told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that he was inspired by a professional executive chef at Pahalgam hotel, where he used to be a trainee.

“Initially, my family was reluctant but I managed to convince them and the outcome is in front of all now. I am earning a minimum of Rs 20000 for a day for food display at five-star hotels while 10000 to 15000 for pre-plating garnish,” he said.

Malik said he receives calls, texts to teach the art almost on a daily basis. “I am now conducting workshops to impart training and so far I have successfully conducted a few workshops in Sopore. There is an acute need for food presentation in Kashmir hotels as there must be a difference between a Kashmiri cook (Waza) and a professional chef,” he said.

Malik said that people especially unemployed should go for skill based courses as it can open opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 10 :Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested one militant associate affliated with Lashkar-i-Toiba oufit along with herione and cash in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district.

In a tweet Srinagar police wrote, “One militant associate of LeT namely Farzan Farooz S/o Farooz Mir R/o Pampore arrested on a naka. Proceeds of terror worth Rs 9,95,000, 450 grams of Heroine, letter pads of LeT, Matrix sheets, Bike etc recovered. FIR 02/23 in sections of UAPA & NDPS act registered in kothibagh PS,”.(GNS)

Srinagar, Jan 10 : The Kashmir University (KU) authorities on Tuesday advertised several administrative positions including the post of Registrar and Director IT. The advertisement comes days after KNO reported how temporary arrangement to these posts was promoting favouritism and monopoly.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the decision to advertise these posts was taken after the Vice Chancellor Dr Neelofar Khan passed instructions to immediately advertise these posts so that the same are filled up through proper channel.

“Some officers were trying to sabotage the advertisement and get it delayed to continue with the temporary arrangement but the VC pulled up the officers and ordered the advertisement be issued without any delay,” they said.

The advertised posts (all tenure positions) include Registrar Main Campus, Librarian Allama Iqbal Library, Director Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Director Information Technology and Support System, Director North Campus Baramulla and Director Institute of Technology, Zakura.

“The appointment to the post of Registrar shall be tenure based for a period of three years and to other tenure posts for a period of five years,” as per the Brief Advertisement Notice No.1 of 2023 Dated 10/01/2023.

It also mentions the age of applicants should preferably be not more than 57 years for the post of Registrar and Librarian, while it will be 55 years for other posts.

The date for submission of online form and hard copy starts from January 16.

Notably, KNO has reported several times in the last seven months that the University authorities were allegedly promoting favouritism on important administrative positions by not putting these positions to proper advertizement.

The three year tenure of In-Charge Registrar Dr Nisar had ended last year in January 2022 and was awaiting proper advertisement since then. Academicians of the University had alleged that the Registrar was continuing without any formal orders on continuation.

The post of Director IT is being held for the last more than six years by one Scientist allegedly owing to his proximity with the administration. The In-Charge Director has not been rotated for six years, which is in total violation of the University’s own three year rotation policy for all HOD’s and Directors.

Meanwhile, the academicians of KU have welcomed the move to advertise these posts and demanded the process of recruitment be fast-tracked.

“We appreciate the VC for opposing the forces who were opposing the advertisement for the last six months,” said an academician wishing anonymity.

The academicians have, however, demanded the VC should immediately remove incumbent officials holding theses posts so that there is no favouritism in the recruitment process.

“If any of these officials happens to be an applicant for any of the posts, then the whole process will be doubtful from the beginning,” they said, adding if these officials do not intend to apply, then they should furnish an undertaking before the VC that they will not apply for any of the positions—(KNO)