Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla , Oct 22 (KNO): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday morning carried searches at multiple locations across Kashmir in connection with the militancy funding case.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the sleuths of State Investigation Agency (SIA) accompanied by the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted a raid at the residence of Mohammad Altaf at Sultanpora village in the district.

The searches are also going on at Palpora, Parimpora, Noorbagh, Residency road and at Awneer in Shopian in South Kashmir.

It has been learnt that SIA raided the residential house of 65-year-old Gulzar Ahmed Bhat S/O Mohammad Sabbir Bhat R/O Aawneera Zainpora, who is a Government Employee (PHE Department)—(KNO)

More details awaited

Srinagar, Oct 19 : The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir Wednesday conducted searches at Sopore in connection with a narco-militancy nexus case.

In a month long chase of elusive leads to identity the lynchpin of a dangerous narco-militancy module, SIA finally zeroed on to a woman who has overseen at least Rs 10 crores worth narcotics and drugs smuggled into India from Pakistan, a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“The searches were conducted today on 19-10-2022 at her Sopore den and digital devices among other records having a bearing on the case were seized. The investigation into the secret dealings of this syndicate is being done under case FIR number 19/2022 under sections 8/21 NDPS Act, 13 17 18 39 40 UA(P) Act registered in Police Station CIK (SIA) Kashmir,” the statement said.

It said that preliminary investigations that triggered this investigation suggests that consignments of smuggled heroin and other narcotics/psychotropic substances are being partly sold in local markets. “The bulk or the contraband, however, is further smuggled to other parts of the country for sale. Proceeds of the sale, as per initial findings, are being brought back to Kashmir and used to finance militant and separatist organization(s) / militant(s) to continue with militant and unlawful activities,” it said.

Mobile devices, bank pass books, a diary type notebook and cash in Indian currency (Rs 1,99,800) recovered from the house of the woman coordinator are being examined for unravelling the details of the other members of the syndicate, it said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 19 : Musarat Kar, President, Municipal Council, Sopore and Touseef Raina, President Municipal Council, Baramulla called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, at the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday.

The Presidents of the Municipal Councils during their interaction with the Lt Governor held discussion on an array of developmental issues of their respective constituencies.

Raina apprised the Lt Governor about the major demands of Baramulla town including establishment of multi-level car parking in municipal limits, Football Academy Rangwar, new mini-secretariat, beautification of Jhelum, streetlights for the town, besides macadamisation of roads, inner lanes, proper drainage system, Deep Drainage Project for Baramulla, Delimitation of MC Limits, Decongestion of Old Town, and industrial area.

Meanwhile, Musrat kar also submitted a memorandum of issues and demands of Sopore including Deep Drainage Project for Sopore, establishment of Mini Secretariat, up-gradation Sub District Hospital Sopore, and development of Sopore New Bus Adda at Model Town, besides other public issues.

The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to all the issues and demands and assured of appropriate action regarding all genuine issues presented by the public representatives on merit.

The Lt Governor impressed on the public representatives from Baramulla to continue their endeavours for the development of their constituencies and welfare of people.

Later, Smita Bhagat, Head – Government & Institutional Business and e-Commerce, HDFC Bank also called on the Lt Governor.

Bhagat apprised the Lt Governor about the efforts and initiatives of the bank for financial inclusion and business development.

She further informed about enrolling 1000 Village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) as HDFC banking facilitators with the Common Service Centres (CSCs) for extending banking products and services to the common masses and 20 new Branches to be opened by the HDFC Bank—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Oct 19 : Former chief minister and Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad Wednesday said that the killing of non-locals and Kashmiri Pandits are aimed at creating communal tensions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Azad, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the killing of locals, non-locals and Kashmiri Pandits is painfully and unfortunate.

“The killing of non-local is creating hatred for Kashmiris. The militants are deliberately killing the non-locals and Kashmir Pandits to create communal tension,” he said and condemned their targeted killing. The non-locals visit Kashmir to earn their livelihood but unfortunately they are becoming the targets of militants,” he added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Oct 17 : The government-owned building for ‘Marriage Hall’ at Muslimpeer in Ward 15 of Sopore town has become a nuisance with people alleging that the building has become a safe haven for drug addicts.

The building as per the locals had been left abandoned about six years ago, following which it turned into a hub of illegal activities, besides a safe haven for drug peddlers.

“In 2021, the authorities promised to utilize the building as a drug rehabilitation centre. But it proved a hoax as nothing has been done on ground till now”, they said.

The project was under special area programmes – special plan strategic schemes drawn up by the governments keeping in view the basic needs of the people.

Mohammad Shafi Changal, a local resident, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the building is in shambles due to the sheer negligence of the authorities. “The structure is in complete shambles with broken windows and doors,” he added.

The building was abandoned midway after spending crores on it only to turn it into a safe haven for drug addicts, said another local, Abdul Jabbar.

“In the premises of the building, one can find empty bottles of codeine (banned drug) and empty strips of drugs used by the addicts, who come in the evening hours and cause inconvenience to the passerby,” he said.

Locals, however, urged the lieutenant governor and district administration to intervene in the matter and direct the concerned officials to take immediate steps for the renovation work.

Executive engineer R&B division Sopore Himayun Raina when contacted told KNO that the estimated cost of the project was Rs 101.88 lakh but some of the amount is pending and hence it was left incomplete.

Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Sopore, Parveez Sajad despite repeated calls did not attend the phone calls—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Oct 14 : Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole on Friday said that fruit-laden trucks faced difficulties on the National Highway as the Kashmir valley witnessed a bumper apple crop, which crossed 21 lakh metric tonnes this year.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Langate, Pole, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the apple crop usually remained in between 17 to 18 lakh tonnes, however, this year it crossed 21 lakh metric tonnes.

He added that due to the bumper crop this year, fruit-laden trucks faced some difficulties on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway as people harvest the apple here in bulk.

He also said that till the 12th of this month, around 80, 000 fruit-laden trucks crossed via the national highway while some of them were diverted via Mughal road.

“There is smooth passage of trucks along the national highway now and at least 1, 500 fruit-laden trucks are received per day,” he said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Oct 13 : Enthusiastic about painting and sketching since her childhood, a self-taught Mehndi artist from Handwara village, Athar Rasool, who has taken the Mehndi designs to the next level by experimenting with latest motifs giving attractive choices to brides.

Athar (22), who hails from Langate village in Handwara of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district is undergraduate Fine Arts student. She chose Mehndi art as her profession as her family as well as her friends suggested her to take up this art as a profession after they noticed this talent in her. “I didn’t visit any art school for learning. I learned it all by myself, this is all by the grace of the Almighty”, says Athar.

Sharing her journey as a Mehandi artist with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Athar said that at the age of 12 she developed a level of consciousness in her after seeing a Mehndi artist applying henna on bride in her neighbors marriage ceremony. It got me access to have first-hand experience of the art. I literally visualized the art grabbing the best possible outcome, she said.

“I always viewed this art through a modern lens that merges the old and new one. I took help from social media platform to understand the basics of the art. It is the best medium to gain excess to the larger audience and the changing patterns of the art”, says Athar.

Athar is running a page on Instagram from where she gets bookings and also shares her work on the page. “I am not working in any shop but from my home as I get bookings through my page and then I go to the bride’s home,” she said.

I always try to serve my clients with the best and satisfying service as Mehndi is something that fascinates everyone and every woman dreams of having the best mehndi memories on her wedding day, said Athar.

“I offer services at affordable prices, as I believe everyone should be able to get these services and make good memories on their wedding day, she said, adding that she does all the occasional mehndi which includes functional mehndi, bridal and non-bridal mehndi”.

Athar credits her success to her family, saying her family is very supportive and broad minded as they always encouraged her. She is also thankful to people especially her friends who directly or indirectly supported her in this journey.

“If you believe in yourself no one is going to stop you. There will be some people who will criticize you and there will also be people who will believe in you. So just focus on your dreams, said Athar, in her message, adding that it gives her immense satisfaction that she’s doing what actually she loves to do—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 12 : The Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools has issued a summon to a North Kashmir-based private school to appear before it after the school denied the transport facility to a student due to non-payment of school fee.

The school in question is Shah Rasool Memorial (SRM) Welkin Educational Trust Sopore.

Syed Tajamul Bukhari – father of a student had registered a complaint before the Fee Fixation Committee alleging that the school principle denied transport facility to this ward due to non-payment of school fee.

Taking strong note of the complaint, the Chairperson – Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools as per news agency Kashmir News Trust has directed the Principal SRM Welkin Educational Trust Sopore to take all steps for ensuring hassle-free education of the child.

“Parent has to pay the legally permissible fee, but non-payment thereof can’t stop the education of a child. The act of the school is illegal and a violation of Supreme Court judgment,” The Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools has stated.

It further states that prima facie it appears that school management is not running the school as Trust but as a business unit.

The Committee has directed the Principal of the school to appear before it on 14 October this month.

Pertinently, the Principal Secretary to the Government School Education Department has already issued an order, impressing upon all private schools not to harass students for non-payment of fees. (KNT)