January 2023

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 02 : A drain which got damaged and is filled with construction material and muck is risking lives of commuters and pedestrians at New Colony locality of Sopore.

Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that for the last several months, the slab of drain constructed by the Urban Environmental Engineering Development (UEED) got badly damaged and caved in. But the department has not cleared the site.

They alleged that sub-standard material was used in the construction of the drain. “The drain constructed is not in a position to withstand the load of even a light vehicle. It is a matter of concern as the drain is posing a threat to the lives of commuters and needs to be repaired at the earliest,” they added.

Meanwhile, an official at the municipal council Sopore told KNO that the issue was never brought to their notice and they will send a team to assess the situation tomorrow—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Jan 02 : In a first, the doctors at District Hospital Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district successfully performed pediatric laparoscopic Hydatid-Cyst surgery of an 11-year-old boy from Mankal, Mawer area on Monday.

Dr Mushtaq, who led the medical team to perform the surgery, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it was the first of its kind patient in the district hospital.

They received a minor patient who had liver pain and was subsequently asked for an ultrasound, wherein it was observed that the patient has a cyst like structure,” he said.

He said that the patient was then asked to undergo a CT scan and a Hydatid-Cyst was found following which a first-of-its-kind surgery was performed at the hospital. “We successfully managed to remove an 11×13×7 cm cyst,” he said.

The team, according to the officials, who assisted the doctor in performing the successful surgery include Dr Reyaz (Anesthetic), Dr Muzaffar, Dr Farooq Sofi and Dr Mustafa, besides other medical staff.

Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Handwara, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Wani told KNO that such a surgery has been conducted for the first time in the hospital.

He said that the surgery is usually done in Srinagar hospital as there are every apprehensions of a medical complicacy, but after analysis of the whole situation and process of medical equipments, the team of medicos performed it successfully—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 02 : In Jammu and Kashmir, many students every year move out to other states of India to get primary and secondary level education owing to non-availability of good quality residential and boarding schools.

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has learnt that the concerned authority in an official document has said that their focus area was to construct the ‘World Class Residential Schools’.

“Many students move out of Jammu and Kashmir to other states and Union Territories (UTs) for getting education at primary and secondary level in a good residential and boarding school every year because Jammu and Kashmir lacks the presence of good and reputed residential schools,” it reads,

The authorities have further said that the gap offers a huge potential of building such facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.

It further states, “The bounties of nature, rich natural bio-diversity and the pristine environment of Jammu and Kashmir provide a suitable atmosphere for overall learning and development of the students,”

About the state of art colleges and universities, the official documents reads, “With the state-of-the-art institutes, the UT aspires to induce the culture of scientific temperament, world view and innovation amongst the youth.”

“Private entities interested in taking up educational initiatives by setting up institutes of excellence or universities to impart up-to-date curriculum aligned with the contemporary developments in the world shall be encouraged,” it reads.

While stating the status of Student Scientific Activity Centre (SSAC), authorities further said, “There is a demand for science labs and scientific activity centers among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. “Absence of student scientific activity centres in the UT holds back the overall development of scientific temper among the students.”

“These Centres shall focus on frontier areas of science and technology and edutainment. These centres will work towards developing scientific attitude and temper and inculcate and sustain a general awareness about technology amongst the people,” it reads.

The document further reads that the centres shall also serve as a platform for students to experiment and experience the technology and the science behind everything and encourage students to take an interest in learning by doing and put theory to practical use—(KNO)

Rajouri, Jan 02 : A child has died while six others including two women and four children have suffered injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on Monday in Dangri area of Rajouri district, reports said here.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that an IED blast took place in the house of one of the slain civilians of a firing incident in Rajouri last evening when people had gathered for condolences.

“During the explosion, a child about 7 years of age died on the spot while six others have been injured in the incident,” officials said.

They said that the injured including two women and four children were taken to GMC Rajouri for treatment—(KNO)

Jammu, Jan 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday announced Rs 10 Lakh ex-gratia and a government job to next of kin of each of those civilians killed in a firing incident in Upper Dhangri village of Rajouri district last evening.

The Lieutenant Governor also “strongly condemned the cowardly” militant attack. “I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families,” he said in a tweet as per GNS.

“An ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh and a Govt job would be given to the next of kin of each of those civilians martyred in dastardly attack,” he said, adding, “Seriously injured would be given Rs.1 lakh. Officials have been directed to ensure best treatment to injured.”

Late last evening, four people were killed in the village and they have been identified as Pritam Sharma (56) and his 33-year-old son Ashish Kumar, Deepak Kumar (23), a PHE employee, and Sheetal Kumar (48).

Six persons were injured in the attack and among them who were airlifted to the GMC Jammu include Rohit Pandit (35) and Shubam Sharma (20) son of Pritam Sharma. Four injured admitted in the GMC Rajouri include Pawan Kumar (38), Saroj Bala (35) wife of Sheetal Kumar, Sushil Kumar (40) son of Kundal Lal and Urishi Sharma (17) daughter of Sheetal Kumar. (GNS)

Jammu, Jan 01 : Three persons, who were among 13 injured in a firing incident in Dangri village of Rajouri district on Sunday evening, have succumbed to their injuries at GmC Rajouri, officials said here.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a firing incident was reported in Dangri village this eveving, creating panic and chaos in the area.

He said in the incident 13 persons were injured and they were rushed to GMC Rajouri for treatment.

He added, however, 3 persons succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, while rest are undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, medical superintendent GMC Rajouri, Dr Mehmood told KNO that they 3 persons have died, while are 10 injured in the firing incident in Dangri.

He said the injured with multiple bullet injuries on their bodies are being treated ate the hospital.

Meanwhile, an official said the area is around 7 to 8 kilometres away from main Rajouri town, while
police and army have rushed to the spot.

“We are ascertaining further details about the incident,” he added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Jan 01 : Panic gripped Ganapora, Kralgund area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday evening after a ‘blast like sound’ was heard in the locality, even as the forces have cordoned off the area, officials said.

Forces in large numbers reached the spot immediately after the ‘blast like sound’ was heard, officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

A senior police officer told KNO that a ‘blast like sound’ has been heard from Ganapora, Kralgund area of Handwara, while they were ascertaining the facts.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off by the joint forces and the further details will be shared accordingly, he said—(KNO)

More details awaited

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 01 : The search operation to locate the body of a girl, who jumped into the river Jhelum in Khanpora area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, entered day 2nd on Sunday.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the girl had jumped into the river Jhelum yesterday afternoon near Khanpora bridge and soon after a search and rescue operation was launched.

He said the operation was however halted for the night as the girl remained untraced. “Today morning the operation has been resumed,” he said.

Notably, this is the second such incident in the district within 20 days as earlier a girl jumped into the Jhelum in Sopore town, while her body still remains untraceable—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 01 : A lady, who was injured after being hit by an unknown vehicle in Sopore outskirts yesterday, succumbed to her injuries at Srinagar hospital on Sunday morning, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a lady in her 40’s identified as Rafeeqa, wife of Manzoor Ahmed of Alsafa Colony in Sopore was hit by an unknown vehicle on Saturday, following which she was subsequently taken to Sopore hospital.

The lady was discharged from the SDH Sopore. However, after complications at home, the lady was taken to GMC Baramulla, where from she was referred to Srinagar hospital, he said.

However, on Sunday morning, she succumbed to her injuries, the official said.

Meanwhile, a case in this regard has been registered and further investigations have been taken up, he added—(KNO)