Jammu & Kashmir

Socio-Political Activist Ghulam Nabi Dar has expresses utter shock over the cruel acid attack against the young girl in Eidgah Srinagar.

Ghulam Nabi Dar observed that” Acid attack is a crime against humanity. Scholars and Intelectuals should come forward and play the Role in Educating the society regarding such matters.

He also Hailed the Swift action from Police who Nabbed the culprits within 24hrs. Law should take it’s own course and ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits. Acid attacks against women needs to be taken a serious issue as it is a war against the social ethics”.

Acid attack destroys the life of a women and puts whole family into depression and sadness. Ghulam Nabi Dar also Hailed the Swift action from Police who Nabbed the culprits within 24 Hours.

Several parts of Kashmir Valley received fresh snowfall since overnight even as night temperature recorded an increase on Thursday, officials said.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Gulmarg had 19 cms of fresh snowfall till 0830 hours today even as it recorded a low of minus 6.0°C against minus 8.0°C on the previous night, he said. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K, had 6.4mm of rain while as it recorded a low of 0.6°C against last night’s minus 1.9°C, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, has 2 cms of snowfall during the time while as it recorded a low of minus 2.1°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded 4 cms of snowfall and had a low of minus 1.0°C against 2.6°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, had 16 cms of snowfall while as it recorded a low of minus 1.7°C against minus 6.1°C on the last night, he said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir had 2.6 cms of snowfall while as it recorded a low of 0.4°C against minus 2.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Officials told GNS that Lolab area of Sogam, Tarathpora Vilgam and Zachaldara Wader Satkojan recorded 2-3 inches of snowfall. Handwara and Langate, they said, recorded about 1-2 inches of snowfall while upper reaches of Sochalyari and Hafrada had about 3-4 inches of fresh snowfall.

As per reports from Budgam district, Chrar-e-shareef has received 4-8 inches of snowfall, Nagbal Yusmarg 4-8 inches, Dadampore Surasyar 3-5 inches, Khansahib Raiyar 3-4 inches while Khag had 3-4 inches.

Reports from Baramulla district suggest that Rafiabad and Hajibal areas had 3-4 inches of snowfall.

As per reports from Anantnag, besides Pahalgam, snowfall of 2 inches was recorded in Kapran.

While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, Kashmir is under the grip of the 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ which would be followed by 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Jammu recorded a low of 10°C against previous night’s 7.1°C. The temperature was 1.8°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 2.0°C, Katra had a minimum of 7.5°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of 1.2°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 11.0°C against last night’s minus 13.6°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 14.6°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.4°C against last night’s minus 22.0°C, official said.

The weatherman has forecast “erratic weather” with occasional snowfall at scattered places till February 8.

Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain, snow is expected during February 2-4 with main activity on 3rd with possibility of isolated heavy rain and snow mainly in South Kashmir and Jammu region,” the official of the meteorological department said. “Light rain and snow is also most likely at scattered places during February 6 to 7. Some places in Jammu region may receive thunderstorm and hailstorm on February 3,” he said, adding, “Overall, weather likely to remain (erratic) partly to generally cloudy with occasional light snowfall at scattered places till February 8.” (GNS)

Apni Party Women Wing today organized a protest demonstration in Gandhi Nagar against the acid attack on a young girl in Srinagar’s Usmani Colony Hawal.

The protesters demanded punishment for the accused persons under stringent laws.

Led by Provincial President Women Wing, Jammu Namrta Sharma; the women wing leaders and workers assembled here outside the Party office and expressed solidarity with the victim while protesting against the violent attack.

“The acid attack is highly condemnable and we stand with the victim’s family. We expect J&K Police to book the accused persons under strict laws so that it could be a lesson for others,” said Namrta addressing the protesters.

Namrta said that the incident has shaken everyone and there is dire need to counsel the youth and parents must take care of their children before it is too late for them as well.

Holding protest, the protesters were demanding a special provision of compensation for the victim girls/women of acid attack and strict rules should be followed to punish the accused in an exemplary manner.

Namrta said that “J&K is a safer place in the country for the women but this incident has created a fear of psychosis among the young girls and women who work outside or go out for studies.”

There is a need to restore the feeling of security among the young girls and the women by the Govt by taking strict action, said Namrta.

Namrta said that “The police must be made women friendly and a special unit of women police personnel in every district should be constituted so that the victims can easily access them.”

Namrta also appealed to the girls and women to report to the police whenever they notice any stalking incident so that immediate steps to prevent such incidents can be taken.

Namrta was accompanied by Vice Presidents Women Wing, Pavneet Kour and Jyoti Vaid; Provincial Secretary, Sunita Sahni, Provincial Secretary, Parvinder Kour, District President, Sarabjeet Kour, Sapna Kumari, Ritu Pandita, Jyoti Jakhar, Rakhi Mehra, Shalu Devi, Minakshi Sharma and other.

Scores of people Wednesday held a protest in Lalchowk, SMHS and Press Emclave demanding death penalty for the culprit involved in an acid attack on a girl.

Protesters said that they are demanding the culprit should be hanged to death and the existing law of 10 year jail should be amended so that this kind of incident will not happen again.

Notably, a 24 year old girl was attacked in Safakadal area of Srinagar on Tuesday evening and sustained severe injuries. . Later the girl was shifted to SMHS Hospital for treatment.

Police on Tuesday evening said that a few suspects have been detained for questioning in the case—(KNO)

Jammu and Kashmir reported 2304 covid-19 cases, down by 447 from yesterday, even as nine persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 996 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1308 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 440480.

Regarding the fresh fatalities, the officials told GNS that five among them were reported from Jammu division and four from Kashmir valley. So far 4692 people have died due to the virus—2294 in Jammu and 2398 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 439 cases, Baramulla 190, Budgam 167, Pulwama 41, Kupwara 131, Anantnag 84, Bandipora 57, Ganderbal 53, Kulgam 112, Shopian 34, Jammu 443, Udhampur 128, Rajouri 37, Doda 104, Kathua 36, Samba 56, Kishtwar 54, Poonch 15, Ramban 84 and Reasi 39.

A number of the cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories associated with GMC Srinagar and District hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include female (40) (NA) from Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Budgam, male (74) (NA) from Sgr, female (72) (NA) from Sgr, female (20) (NA) from Budgam, female (30) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (70) (NA) from Sgr, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (55) (NA) from Sgr, female (19Days) (NA) from Baramulla, male (02) (NA) from Budgam, female (65) (NA) from Pattan, female (39) (NA) from Indranagar Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (28) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Sgr, female (49) (NA) from Bulbulbagh, female (05) (NA) from Midoora tral, male (32) (NA) from Bemina, female (30) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (70) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (35) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (11) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (60) (NA) from Wazirbagh, female (39) (NA) from Rainawari, male (50) (NA) from Handwara, male (14) (NA) from Bemina, female (63) (NA) from Pakherpora, male (75) (NA) from Panthachowk, male (43) (NA) from Nawabazar, female (40) (NA) from HMT, male (55) (NA) from Pulwama, female (50) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (35) (NA) from Budgam, male (42) (NA) from Khaniyar, female (18) from Sgr, male (65) from Bagi mehtab, male (48) from Kukura bilal colony, male (55) from Saidkadal, male (63) from Nishat, female (30) from Elahibagh, male (37) from Hazratbal, male (16) from Habbak, male (65) from Harwan, male (18) from Nishat, female (85) from Nishat, male (20) from Nishat, female (09) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (33) (NA) from Nazneenpora, male (65) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, male (45) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (48) (NA) from Khaygam, female (06) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (08) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (14) (NA) from Khaygam, male (37) (NA) from Rajpora, female (20) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (18) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (45) (NA) from Mughalpora shopian, female (65) (NA) from Rajpora, female (30) (NA) from Kathalan shopian, female (20) (NA) from Tukroo, female (28) from Lalbazar, male (25) from Lalbazar, female (35) from Hazratbal, female (57) from Habbak, female (60) from Habbak, male (14) from Gulabbagh, female (31) from Sgr, male (27) from Sgr, female (22) from Bandipora, female (26) from Pulwama, female (18) from Pulwama, male (75) (NA) from Tangmarg, male (80) (NA) from Khansahib, male (60) from Ahmed nagar, male (70) from Tulmullah and male (19) from Chattabal.

The District Hospital Pulwama cases include female (35) from Murran, male (33) from Turukwangam, female (28) from Tahab, female (35) from Pinglena, male (32) from Pinglena, female (32) from New colony pulwama, female (20) from Karimabad, female (80) from Uripora, male (26) from Pampore, male (65) from Lassipora, female (32) from Malikpora and female (30) from Rahmoo.

Besides, they said, 5024 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1433 from Jammu Division and 3591 from Kashmir. So far 405959 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 29829—8547 in Jammu and 21282 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 45345 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Mayor Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu on Wednesday visited the young acid attack victim at SMHS hospital in Srinagar and handed over his one-month’s salary to the victim’s family and assured them of his complete support and solidarity.

Interacting with the parents of the acid attack victim, Mattu in presence of a District Legal Services Aid team deputed by the High Court and Mission Director ICPS, assured the victim’s family of full medical, legal and administrative support and also asked the team of doctors treating the victim to ensure that she receives the best possible medical care.

According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Mattu also commended the SIT formed by SSP Srinagar for arresting the culprits within 24 hours and said this was the first and most significant step in ensuring the victim and her family gets justice and would serve as a deterrent for such heinous crimes.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. I met the parents of the victims and assured them of complete support and solidarity. While the administration will offer legal, medical and financial aid to the victim and her family, it is also incumbent on us as a society to stand unequivocally with the victim and her family. This criminal, gruesome act needs to be condemned by each and everyone at a social level as well. We should collectively ensure that those anti-social elements responsible for such heinous crimes are brought to book,” Mayor said.

He added that he is going to request the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha that the administration should fully facilitate and finance the specialized rehabilitation treatment of the victim at the best possible health facility in the country.

“I will be writing to the LG requesting that the victim is offered full financial and logistical assistance to facilitate her rehabilitative treatment at the best possible specialized health facility in the country for the purpose,” Mayor added.

Mayor Srinagar was accompanied by his Advisor and Corporator SMC Danish Bhat and Corporator Zadibal Tanveer Pathan—(KNO)

The acid attack victim from Srinagar is unlikely to regain her eyesight, doctors treating her at the Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital Srinagar Wednesday said, adding that “no conclusion can be, however, drawn at this point of time.”

Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the victim’s eyes have suffered damage in cornea and it cannot be stated whether she can regain her eyesight.

A 24-year-old girl was attacked with acid at Wantpora area of Hawal in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, sending shock waves across Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was widely condemned by every section of the society.

However, police on Wednesday stated that the main accused among three persons were arrested in this regard and a two-wheeler used in commission of crime has also been seized.

Police have also said that a shop, where the accused had bought the acid, has also been sealed.

Meanwhile, the victim at present is undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital as she has suffered grievous injuries on her face and eyes in the attack.

Moreover, police issued an advisory, appealing people to refrain from posting or sharing the pictures of the acid attack victim on social media platforms.

“It has come to notice that some social media users and page admin are uploading photographs of yesterdays acid attack victim on social media platforms. These people are advised to refrain from positing and sharing such content. Anybody found involved in this act will be strictly dealt under law. Police have taken cognizance of the matter,” the police advisory reads—(KNO)

Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested three persons after a girl was yesterday attacked with acid in Eidgah area of Srinagar.

In a statement to GNS Police said that during the evening of 01.02.2022, Srinagar police recieved an information regarding acid attack on a 24 year old girl in Hawal area falling under Police Station Nowhatta.

In this regard a case under FIR No. 08/2022 U/S 326-A of IPC was registered in Police Station Nowhatta and investigation was started immediately, they said.

As the case was of heinous nature, SSP Srinagar immediately formed a Special investigation team with SP North Raja Zuhaib-JKPS as Chairman and SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women PS as members, they said.

During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, name of one suspect came up which led to apprehension of the main accused namely Sajid Altaf Rather S/o Mohd Altaf Rather R/o Buchwara Dalgate. SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence.
During the initial questioning, it came out that this accused was having interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her. The arrested accused had taken note of the timings of the girl long before this attack. The accused used to work in a medical shop and in the evening of 01.02.2022, he took break from work and went on a scooty towards the place where the girl used to work alongwith a co-accused namely Momin Nazir sheikh S/o Nazir Ahmad Sheikh R/o Mehjoornagar, they said.

On Victim’s way back home in the late evening, she was followed and acid was thrown on her and afterwards the accused ran away and went back to his shop. This second accused was also arrested when more evidences in case came up. The scooty used in the commission of this heinous crime was also seized by Police, they said.

It further came out that the accused had purchased the Acid from one of his knowns namely Mohd Saleem S/o Abdul Ganie resident of Padshai bagh, a motor Mechanic who works at international motors near Durga nath near Dal Gate area. This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination, they said.

Legal Process was also initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employee had sold acidic material in violation of Hon’ble SC guidelines. This Shop was sealed by following due procedure by Executive Magistrate, they said.

All shopkeepers in Srinagar are strictly instructed to follow Hon’ble SC directions on sale of acid, failing which legal action will initiated against them.
A special drive will be started in this regards shortly in coordination with District Administration, reads the statement(GNS)