Jammu & Kashmir

Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal, May 01 : Two students were injured after being attacked by some unknown persons with a knife in Beehama area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Monday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Hidayat Ahmad Tantray and Ibrahim Ahmad Tantray were attacked by some unknown persons today afternoon, resulting in injuries to them.

He said soon after the incident they were shifted to district hospital Ganderbal for treatment where from they have been referred to SKIMS Soura for further treatment.

SSP Ganderbal, Nikhi Borkar told KNO that they have launched a manhunt to nab the attackers—(KNO)

Photo Credit: Umar Dar

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, May 01 : Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Monday expelled former MLA, Haji Abdul Rasheed Dar from basic membership of the party.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DPAP Chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad expelled Haji Abdul Rasheed Dar, ex Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the basic membership of the party.

Dar has been expelled from the party for his anti-party activities—(KNO)

Srinagar, May 01 : After getting inputs from intelligence agencies, the central government has blocked 14 messenger mobile applications that were largely used in Jammu and Kashmir for spreading terror, sources said.

According to sources, these mobile applications were used by terrorists in Kashmir to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers (OGW). “Agencies keep track of channels used by Overground workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate among themselves.

While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app,” said an official.

Thereafter, with the help of other intelligence agencies operating in the valley, a list of such apps was prepared that pose a threat to national security and do not follow Indian laws.

After getting the list prepared, the concerned Ministry was informed of the request to ban these mobile applications. These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the official added.

In official communications to higher-ups, the intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley.

Sources said these apps include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi, Threema among others.

Sopore, Apr 26: Police on Wednesday said that among the many youth including girls in the Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are addicted to drugs.

“In Sopore, many youth including girls are drug addicts,” SDPO Sopore, Dr Raies Ahmed Mir said at a drug de-addiction awareness rally here in the town.

The rally was organised by the district administration Baramulla “in view of the rising numbers of drug addiction cases and to educate people, especially students, about the ill effects of drugs”.

On the occasion, SDPO said that parents have a greater responsibility in the social development of a child as they act as the first teacher and guides of their wards.

The police officer cautioned students about the negative impacts of drugs which he said “hampers one’s mental growth”. He, however, said that the person with such addiction should not be hated but counselled.

Dr Raies also highlighted the role of the Jammu & Kashmir Police in the prevention of drug addiction and sought people’s cooperation in eradicating the evils prevalent in society.

“Police would be a helping hand to those who want to get rid of drug addiction,” he said.

The rally passed through the busiest Iqbal Market in town and culminated at Dak Bangalow. It was actively participated by hundreds of students who expressed concern over drug abuse through art charts and paintings—(JK Revolution)

Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized two vehicles and counselled six youth after a video of their involvement in alleged hooliganism on Sopore-Tarzoo-Hygam road went viral yesterday late evening.

A police official told JK Revolution that they seized two vehicles bearing registration numbers JK05K-4428 and HR26AE-5621 and took six persons in custody for doing hooliganism on the streets of Sopore on Sunday.

“The vehicles have been blacklisted as well,” he said. The action was followed after a video went viral on social media platforms. In the video, the youth could be seen out of car windows and doing hooliganism, besides driving rashly.

Meanwhile, the youth were counselled and were handed over to family members—(JK Revolution)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Apr 25 (KNO): With people frequently throwing the garbage into Jhelum river at various places across north Kashmir especially at Sopore and Baramulla, the river has been turned into a waste dump.

People including those associated with the Municipal Council sweepers are openly dumping waste on the banks of the river at several spots.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Nayeem Ahmed said that the authorities have completely failed to protect the water body.

Household, plastic waste and medical waste can be spotted scattered around the banks of the river. Encroachments have occurred at several places.

Officials acknowledged that the river is in poor condition and a large part of it has been encroached and polluted.

An official suggested that there is a need to restore the catchment areas of the river, besides scientific dredging of sand and soil from the river could help in preserving it—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Apr 25 : Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is in Kashmir to shoot his upcoming movie ‘Dunki’.

The actor arrived at a hotel in Sonamarg on Monday night along with actor Taapsee Pannu and will be shooting at the location for a few days there.

Officials said prior security arrangements were done. A huge crowd of Shah Rukh Khan’s fans have arrived on the spot.

The shooting, an official said, will proceed for four days in the valley – first in Sonamarg and then in the Dal Lake Srinagar. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

A tourist, Aakash from Delhi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it is an “extremely joyous moment” for him to witness the scenic view of Sonamarg, and Khan’s arrival “added to my joy”.

Another tourist said that through movies and video songs, people from outside Kashmir come to know about the beautiful places in Kashmir and they come here to explore the valley.

Abdul Rasheed, a local from Sonamarg, told KNO that their livelihood depends on tourism and the shooting of movies helps them earn a bit more. “The movie shootings boost tourism, transport, hotel, food and many other sectors, thus boosting the economy,” he said.

Till the late 1980s, Bollywood and Kashmir were linked together but due to unfavourable conditions since 1989, very few filmmakers came here. However, for the past few years, the J&K administration has been making all-out efforts to bring the film industry back to Kashmir saying the situation is favourable now—(KNO)