Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Pattan, Sept 30 : A militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter that broke out in Yedipora village of Pattan in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the identity of the militant was being ascertained, while operation was going on.

Earlier, a joint team of Army’s 29 RR, CRPF and Police cordoned off Yedipora village after inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

Officials said that as the joint team approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, which was retaliated to, triggering an encounter—(KNO)

Bandipora, Sept 28 : Jammu and Kashmir BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul on Wednesday said that elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be conducted in March-April next year after the publication of final electrical roll in November 25 this year.

Talking to reporters here, Koul, as per the news agency, said that January and February are not suitable for elections in J&K due to weather conditions and it’s obvious that elections will be conducted in March-April next year.

He said that the publication of final electoral roll would be completed on November 25, following which voter list will be out and after that Elections Commission will start the preparation for conducting the elections in J&K.

While replying the question on daily-wagers, Koul said all of them will be included in minimum wages act very soon.

Notably, Ashok Koul visited Bandipora to take review of ongoing Seva Pakhwada program in the district.

He also impressed upon the party leaders in the district to make all arrangements to make Amit Shah’s rally successful—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 27 : Authorities in the traffic department on Tuesday said 48,845 trucks including 30,756 apple trucks have moved from Srinagar to Jammu through Jammu-Srinagar national highway since September 01.

As per the news agency, the officials from IGP Traffic’s office said, “After three continuous days of Down HMV movement, all the stranded trucks at Qazigund were cleared yesterday.”

They said as per the data collected by NHAI at the Qazigund toll plaza, since 1st September, 48,845 trucks including 30,786 apple laden trucks moved from Qazigund to other parts of the country via Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

“Because of the constraints of NH-44, which is single lane for 12-14 stretches between Nashri and Banihal, the movement of HMVS happens on alternate days.”

Further the movement of traffic on the NH is also subject to stoppage due to the frequent falling of “Shooting stones” at various locations like, Cafeteria More, Mahar, Sherbibi etc around Ramban town, officials said. “In particular, the Mahar passi, which became active on 18th July 2022, leads to the stoppage of the traffic several times during the day on account of shooting stones which makes it dangerous for traffic to pass.”

They said since 24th Sept 2022, the NHAI has also initiated urgent repair works at these single stretches of the NH, requiring the stoppage of traffic for a part of the day.

“Overall, in the last 4 days, over 34 hours of travel time has been lost on the NH 44 on account of the shooting stones at Mahar Passi and the repair work by NHAI,” they added—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 27 : Terming former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Azad Party (DAP) as an associate party of the Bharatiya Janta Party, Congress on Tuesday claimed that there was an internal alliance between Peoples Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janta Party in 2014.

Talking to reporters, Pradesh Congress committee president Vikar Rasool said that Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party is fully associated with BJP. “Mufti Muhammad Sayeed could have stopped BJP but after elections were held, you saw they had an internal alliance,” Vikar told reporters, as per news agency.

Vikar said Ghulam Nabi Azad is a shrewd politician and would not tell the public about his links with the BJP. “These people won’t tell you that they are affiliated with BJP because they know that they would then get a big zero in elections,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 27 : Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Tuesday ordered restoration of ‘Shab-Khawani’ at all shrines of the Union Territory and directed the authorities to put in place all necessary arrangements.

An order issued by Executive Magistrate, Tehsildar of J&K Waqf Board, Srinagar, Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-din, a copy of which lies with the news agency, said that Jammu and Kashmir has been an abode of Sufi Saints and their shrines are spread across the length and breadth of the UT of J&K, whose administrative affairs are managed by the J&K Waqf Board.

Apart from the usual religious practices, the practice of shab Khawani’ has been a precedence of centuries at these shrines, that was observed with great religious fervour and zeal, preferably on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday,” it said, adding that the practice of “Shab-Khawani” at most shrines was discontinued because of the turmoil and deteriorating law and order situation few decades back.

The Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board has desired that in view of the improvement in overall law and order situation in the UT, the practice shall be resumed to restore the sanctity and religious fervour associated with Shab-Khawani.

“Now, therefore, general public is hereby informed that “Shab-Khawani” being restored at all shrines of Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, and shall be preferably observed on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. However, it can also be observed on any other night of the week depending upon the local custom and past practice. Executive Officers/ Administrators and the staff posted at shrines are hereby directed to put in place all necessary arrangements to ensure “Shab-Khawani” is observed in peaceful and serene environment. They shall give wide publicity through public notices and announcements to generate awareness among the devotees in this regard,” the order reads—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sep 26 : Halting of fruit laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu national highway has taken a heavy toll on Asia’s second largest Fruit Mandi in Sopore, with Mandi administration stating that they have suffered around Rs 500 crore loss in the month of September alone.

President buyers association, Fruit Mandi Sopore Mudasir Ahmed Bhat told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that halting of trucks along Srinagar-Jammu national highway leads to a loss of around Rs 500 crore to the growers, buyers and dealers in the month of September only.

He said, that a buyer suffers a loss of Rs 4-5 lac per truck as the authorities are unnecessarily stopping trucks and it seems they deliberately want them to suffer. “Who is going to pay the losses,” asked Mudasir.

“If the situation doesn’t change and the trucks will not be allowed to pass, we will go for the hunger strike and the government will be responsible for that.”

Similarly, President Fruit Mandi Sopore, Fayaz Ahmed Malik told KNO, that the fruit industry is crumbling as they already had suffered heavy losses during the last several years and government must at least ensure hassle movement of the fruit trucks so that produce will reach markets in time. “It will fetch a good rate,” he said.

Malik said, that they were hopeful that their matter will be taken seriously as they had a meeting with the chief secretary, besides the directions were passed by the government to allow the fruit laden trucks, but they fail to understand why authorities are not taking any strong steps on the ground level.

Malik, however, holds SSP Traffic Shabir responsible for the losses. “Citing traffic jam reasons, the SSP is not allowing our trucks to pass, even if the vehicles are being allowed to enter the valley”, he added.

Malik, however, urge administration to take immediate necessary steps for transportation of fresh fruit-laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway without any hindrance.

Addressing the fruit deals and growers during a peaceful protest at Fruit Mandi in Sopore, DDC Member Adv Irfan Hafeez Lone said, that by not allowing the fruit laden trucks towards Jammu seems administration want to crush the fruit industry, as the items are getting damaged for remaining stranded for days along national highway.

He said that the fruit industry is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and almost 70% of the population are dependent on this industry. “Despite claiming of the backbone of the economy government should take care of it as the industry is crumbling and the growers are facing huge losses”, Irfan added.

Pertinent to mention here, that the fruit Mandis across the Kashmir valley were closed for two days— Sunday and Monday in view of the strike call given against the blockage of fruit laden trucks.

Notably, fruit growers and buyers across the Kashmir valley are continuously protesting time to time over the halting of trucks along the national highway, but despite protests nothing happened—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Sep 26 : Two mid-day meal in-charges were suspended on Monday in Zone Langate of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, while action against the two head masters have been initiated, an official said on Monday.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Educational Officer (CEO) Kupwara, Abdul Hameed Fanni on a surprise visit to the schools including high school Phorupath and Guloora in zone Langate suspended the two mid-day meal in-charges of these schools.

An official said that the duo was suspended after finding flaws in serving mid-day meals to the students at high School Phorupath and high school Guloora in Handwara.

“The in-charges were not serving the meals as per the menu framed,” CEO said.

He also said action against the two Headmasters will be initiated as they failed to monitor the process.

“Mid-day meals is the rights of students and there will be no compromise in it,” he added.

The official, however, said that the smart books which have been given to the schools some three months ago have not reached the students, adding that those found guilty will face the action—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 26 : Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole on Monday said that by tonight all trucks stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway will be cleared and that there were natural reasons for halting of trucks on the highway.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Pole said that all trucks including fruit-laden trucks will be cleared on the National Highway by tonight.

He added that trucks and other vehicles are only halted on the highway when there are shooting stones at some places along the highway and due to inclement weather.

“The allegations levelled by fruit growers’ associations that trucks are deliberately halted on the highway are half truth. By tonight all trucks will be cleared on the highway,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement, a spokesperson said that all stranded Jammu bound trucks will be cleared by tonight and around 4000 trucks were on way.

The statement reads that around 46, 000 goods laden trucks including 29000 apple trucks have been sent out of Kashmir since September 01.

“The claim made by certain fruit growers’ association on the halting of fruit trucks is half truth and natural reasons are hindering traffic. We have difficulties in the movement of traffic on the highway due to rains and resultant shooting stones which is beyond human control,” it added.

It further reads that normally apple production in Kashmir is 17 metric ton but due to abundant rainfall, there has been a bumper crop and will cross 21 metric ton.

“Truckers should use the alternate Mughal road to lessen the burden on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, while administration is making all efforts to maintain the flow. Drivers of empty vehicles are also appealed to use Mughal road,” it added—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 26 : Amid the halting of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, top officials on Monday said that the constraints on the highway are likely to get clear in the next 3-4 days and halting traffic for four hours on daily basis is likely to end soon.

A top official while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the government is proactively working so that fruit growers won’t face any problems at any cost and there is the option of the Mughal road available.

“When we took up this issue with fruit growers association, they accepted that they will use Mughal road as well. By choosing the Mughal road, it will take a little more time in reaching Jammu but you won’t be halted there for a day or two,” he said, adding that around 1000 trucks are going through the road but double-decker trucks can use that route on daily basis and only down traffic is allowed on Mughal road.

He added that on the directions of the Chief Secretary NH-44 is being closed for four hours to carry out necessary repair works and it is definitely affecting the movement of traffic.

“We are ready to hear and work on every suggestion of growers and they must come forward, and every step is being

Taken in this regard so that nobody faces any issues on the national highway.”

He further said that they are more than happy to work on solutions, but there are some constraints on the highway, which they can’t overcome this time.

“Necessary repair works are likely to get completed in the next 3-4 days after that halting of traffic for 4 hours won’t be required.”

Meanwhile, top officials informed KNO that a meeting of high-rank officials with the Fruits Growers Association will be held today at around 3 pm in which all options will be discussed.

President Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU), Basheer Ahmad told KNO that they have been called for a meeting at 3 pm today and they are hopeful that government will come up with a solution so that growers won’t face this problem anymore—(KNO)