Jammu & Kashmir

Anantnag, Oct 12 : The authorities in South Kashmir’s Anantnag on Wednesday banned the movement of heavy goods vehicles on three inner routes, which lead to Qazigund tunnel.

In an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency, district magistrate Anantnag , Dr Basharat Qayoom said that in view of the apple harvest season there has been a noticeable increase in the movement of heavy goods vehicles along all routes especially National Highway.

The order reads that it has been reported that in order to avoid rush on National Highway, the truck drivers adopt various inner routes to reach Qazigund tunnel area, which leads to traffic jamming due to which general public including patients suffer badly.

It added that in the previous year, a child lost his life, as he couldn’t get timely medical aid due to traffic Jamming on Anantnag-Dooru-Verinag (ADV road) road.

“In order to prevent recurrence of the unfortunate incident referred to above, and to address the issue of frequent traffic jamming in inner routes, it has become imperative to impose total ban on the movement of Jammu bound heavy goods vehicles on Mirbazar-Ashajipora Road, Anantnag Dooru-Verinag Road and Dalwach-Mehmoodabad routes,” it reads.

It added that it is hereby ordered that there shall be complete ban on movement of Jammu bound heavy goods vehicles on Mirbazar Ashajipora Road, Anantnag-Dooru-Verinag Road and Dalwach Mehmoodabad Road.

“Senior Superintendents of Police, Anantnag and Kulgam and Superintendent of Police Traffic Rural Kashmir and National Highway, shall ensure implementation of the order in letter and spirit,” it reads—(KNO)

Sajid Raina

Srinagar, Oct 11 : Apart from popular skiing destination Gulmarg, the government will continue with winter tourism activities in snow bound areas of Kashmir that have a huge potential for winter tourism, especially adventure tourism.

Promoting the unexplored destinations that have a vast winter tourism potential will be topmost priority of Government this winter.

A top official told the news agency, that besides making helicopter services available to the snow bound tourism potential areas which used to remain closed in winter due to heavy snowfall, the government is also introducing some new ski resorts in these areas as well.

“We have decided to start special helicopter services from Bandipora to Gurez and Kupwara to Karnah for the tourists this year,” he said, adding that the services will help the government to promote and sustain its winter tourism plan which was never done before.

“For the first time this year, Sonamarg, Karnah and Gurez are to be made winter tourist hotspots like Gulmarg as it’s the topmost priority of the administration,” he said, adding that multiple activities including winter sports will be held in these areas that shall not only promote the tourist footfall, but will create employment resources for the locals.

He said that the government will be keen to promote these areas this year in winter season and all necessary arrangements are being made in a timely manner.

The top official said that the tourism industry in these areas has faced an accelerated growth with holistic support from local communities who are involved directly and indirectly in this industry.

Considering the large number of tourist rush to these places in summer season, he said that winter activities won’t remain confined to Gulmarg only this year but many activities will be carried out at other tourist destinations as well.

About Central Kashmir’s Doodpathri area, he said that this tourism destination is being given special focus to be developed as the best winter tourism spot while the government is working very positively to make it more beautiful—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 11 : Several areas including Mughal road, pir ki gali and Warna in Kishtwar received season’s first snowfall on Tuesday while the weatherman here has predicted dry weather till October 18 evening.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the officials in the Meteorological department said that the season’s first snowfall was received today in higher reaches today.

A few areas including Mughal road, Pir ki Gali and Warwan received light snowfall, they said.

Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that the light snowfall would occur at some higher reaches today, but the weather conditions would improve soon.

He said that there is no possibility of any dry spell till October 18 evening as according to the forecast, the weather would remain mostly dry—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Oct 08 : Two self-styled journalists have been arrested in extortion case in Kralgund area of Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two journalists were arrested in extortion case following a complaint filed the management of a school in Qaziabad locality.

He said that they had visited SSA school Chatarhaal Qaziabad and later tried to extort money from the teachers of the school after they filmed a video of students performing poorly in a mock interview.

“In the name of making the video viral, they were asking Rs 15, 000 as bribe from the school management, however, the management informed the police and the self-styled journalist were caught red-handed,” he said.

The official identified the duo as Irfan Ahmed Malik son of Bashir Ahmed Malik of Humpora Kralgund and Iqbal Ahmed Shiekh son of Ghulam Mohiudin Sheikh of Pandithpora.

He added that a case FIR No. 85/022 U/S 392, 384 and 506 IPC has been registered in Police Station Kralgund and further investigation has been taken up—(KNO)