Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 11 : The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) Saturday reopened links for submission of online forms for annual regular examination 2023 for classes 10th to 12th standard.

The online links for submission of the forms will be opened from February-14 to February-15 with a late fee Rs 6000 in addition to last prescribe Fee.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director Academic BOSE in a communique said, “It is notified for the information of all concerned students who have not so far, submitted their examination forms can now submit their examination forms for Classes 10th, 11th and 12th Annual Regular Examination 2023, online with a late fee Rs 6000in addition to last prescribe Fee.”

“The link for submission of online examination forms shall be made available on official website of JKBOSE with immediate effect from February-14 to February-15,” BOSE said—(KNO)

Kupwara, Feb 11: Amid continuous road blockage due to snow, bodies of three residents of far-flung Karnah are lying in the mortuary of district hospital Handwara with the bereaved families urging administration to take immediate measures for the return of the bodies.

The identity of the deceased include Shabir Ahmed of Bhatpora, Sadiq Jan of Amrohi and Sayeed Qureshi of Ghbara.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), locals have been continuously protesting for the last four days, demanding construction of a tunnel at the Sadhna pass on the Kupwara – Tangdhar highway.

Saying that their lives become hell during the winter season, people of Karnah in Kupwara urged the government to facilitate evacuation of the dead bodies to their destinations for the last rites.

“A few days ago, the weather was fine but the administration did not make any effort for the evacuation of the bodies. We have put our demand for construction of a tunnel at Sadhna Top but none is paying attention to our pleas,” said Mohammad Ashraf of Karnah.

Another local said the government is making claims in the summers about development of border areas as tourist destinations but the lack of arrangements for ferrying the bodies to their native places reflect the government’s callousness towards them.

“It is so miserable to see what the families of the deceased, whose bodies lie at the mortuary in Handwara from the past few days might be going through”, said National Conference youth worker Waqar Khan.

He demanded immediate assistance from the administration for ferrying the bodies to their respective villages.

“Respecting and thinking about the residents who have sacrificed their lives and people who in this harsh weather are still protesting and trying to raise their voices, the government should immediately take action”, he said.

They appealed to the government to airlift the bodies to native places as soon as possible so that their families can get a sigh of relief.

An official said that they are on it to send the bodies to their respective villages as soon as possible—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 11: Jammu and Kashmir Haj Committee chairperson Safeena Baig Saturday said that this year Haj 2023 will be cheaper by almost Rs 80,000 and that each pilgrim is supposed to pay Rs 350,000 to 3,70,000 maximum for performing Haj this year.

Addressing a press conference here, Baig said after hectic deliberations between Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and the Saudi Government, Haj has been made cheaper this year. “As per our estimates, Haj 2023 will be cheaper by Rs 80,000. Each pilgrim who would otherwise pay Rs 4.50 lakh will have to pay between Rs 3,50,000 to Rs 3,70,000,” she said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

She said that this year, over 10,000 pilgrims from J&K will perform the holy journey of Haj. “Haj office in Srinagar will facilitate every pilgrim including those who are having issues related to passport,” Baig said, adding that the Haj applications are already up on the official website of Haj Committee of India: www.hajcommittee.gov.in free of cost. “Earlier, every pilgrim had to pay Rs 300 for the form. Now, the form can be downloaded and filled with ease,” she said.

The J&K Haj Committee chairperson said that in case of need of conducting the RTPCR test, the government will bear the expenses and take samples of the pilgrims free of cost. She said that the pilgrims above 70-years of age will be prioritised for the Haj while women aged 45 years, without Mehram, can perform the pilgrimage in the groups. “A group of four women without mahram can perform the Haj 2023,” she said, adding that the Saudi Government has given a relaxation to the women who are not having any mahram but yearn to perform Haj.

She also said that from Azizia to Haram, pilgrims are likely to get direct bus services. “This has been the demand of pilgrims who performed the Haj in 2022,” she said. Asked whether there was any plan to address the issues of pilgrims in Makah and Madina as last year, many pilgrims complained of ill treatment by the hotels there, Baig said: “This year, Haj officers will create different groups on Whatsapp and stay in touch with pilgrims. In case of any issue or grievances, immediate redressal would be done.” Pertinently, there will be 25 embankment points across the country for the pilgrims this year. HCoI has maintained that the pilgrimage this year will be much smoother than previous pilgrimages—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 11 : Irrigation and Flood Control division in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has asked residents to remove illegal encroachments over Jhelum river banks and other water bodies within the period of seven days, failing which strict action would be taken against the encroachers.

According to a notice, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) people who have encroached over the Irrigation and Flood control (I&FC) land in the district have been asked to remove encroachments within seven days.

“If any person fails to remove the encroachment, the department would swung into action and people have to pay the charges of the same”, it reads.

It reads strict action under the law would be taken against the people who fail to remove illegal encroachments.

As per officials separate eviction notices have been issued to residents across the district for the same—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 10 : Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) Friday announced date sheet for annual regular examination for Classes 10th-Class 12th.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the examinations will commence from March 06, 2023.

The core papers of 10th standard will commence from March-13 followed 11th standard exams that will commence from March-06.

The exams of 12th standard will commence from March-08.

It is the first time that the examinations will be conducted in the March session.

Pertinently in November last year, the government had announced that examinations will be held in March for all classes here.

Meanwhile, the BOSE has announced date sheet for annual regular examinations for Class 10th, 11th and 12th—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 10 : Jammu and Kashmir Police here in north Kashmir’s Sopore on Friday said that they have arrested three notorious drug peddlers and suppliers along with huge consignment of contraband substances and that further investigations in this regard have been initiated.

A police official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a vehicle bearing registration number JK03D-2694 was intercepted by a Naka party headed by the SHO PS Amargrah, Imtiaz Ahmed under the supervision of SDPO Sopore, Raies Ahmed near Lalad village along national highway in which two persons were boarding and heading towards main town Sopore.

Upon searching the vehicle, 10 kilograms of Charas like substance were recovered from the vehicle and the duo was arrested on the spot, he said.

The apprehended duo during initial investigation revealed their identity as Shabir Ahmad Wagay, son of Ali Mohammad Wagay and Gulzar Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Gani Mir—both residents of Dupatyar Bijbehara in Anantnag.

Meanwhile, in a similar action, a notorious drug peddler identified as Irfan Syed Antoo, son of Mohammad Syed Antoo of Amberpora, Tarzoo was arrested by a police party led by I/C PP Putkha, Irfan Ahmed at Sangrama chowk along with 13 bottles of codeine from a carry bag.

Officials said that separate cases were registered under FIR number 07/2023 and FIR number 08/2023 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Tarzoo and Amargrah in Sopore, adding that further investigations are going on.

Meanwhile, Sopore Police urged the general public to come forward and join hands to eradicate the drug menace from the society. Police also said that such operations will continue in the future with same vigour and zeal and the drug peddlers will be dealt as per law—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 10 : Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said that the Kashmir Valley, which was earlier known for stone pelting incidents is now known for Football and other sports activities.

Addressing a gathering at the inaugural function of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg, Thakur, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the youth who were holding stones in their hands are now indulging in sports activities, thereby making the nation proud.

While appreciating the role of Jammu and Kashmir government, he said the government made it possible to change Kashmir situation in just 3 years, which earlier could not be done in 75 years.

“It is really a proud movement for all of us that Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the Khelo India Games for the third time, which other states failed to”, he said.

He said that they will soon have a number of star athletes, as the youth are highly involved in games, be it Football, Wushu, Cricket, Skiing or other sports activities.

“Jammu and Kashmir’s every district is now having an indoor stadium and every village a play field, which itself speaks how the situation has taken a U-turn,” he said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 10 : Kickstarting the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games at famous ski-resort Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said Gulmarg is going to be the Centre of Excellence for the winter sports and efforts are on and soon “we will achieve the mission”

Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg, LG Sinha as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that every effort is being made to bring the skills of J&K youth who are affiliated with the sports on a display as Gulmarg will soon be the Center of Excellence for the winter games.

While congratulating the organizers for making efforts in conducting the mega event, the LG said that it is a proud movement for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “I convey my greetings to each member including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, High Altitude Warfare School Jawahar Institute of mountaineering, J&K Sports council and those associated with the event,” he said.

He said Gulmarg will celebrate the sporting excellence on snow covered slopes and will witness the contests of skill, courage and character of the athletes in as many as 11 disciplines. “We transform the sports tournament into reallly spectacular event at Gulmarg.”

He said that the second Khelo India was a huge success and today on the 3rd National winter Games event, the whole country is united, and the next five days are going to be great occasion to strive for the greatest victory to uphold the sportsmanship, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors.

“Sports is such a medium which can change everything and it will not change the athletes behavior but can change whole scenario of the world. Just after three months we are going to hold the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He also said Jammu and Kashmir tops the sports infrastructure in the whole country as “we have stadiums and play fields in every village.” “Our country was deprived of the soft power of sports from last 60 years but fortunately, the efforts of PM Modi paved the way and we are now at the stage of holding the mega sports events. PM Modi gave youth a Naya Asmaan and Naya Pankh,” he said.

The LG said that for the last 8-9 years the country has produced a number of sports heroes and its all because of PM Modi. “Sports can give a new birth to the sustainable development and Sports ministry left no stone unturned to make Jammu and Kashmir a Sports centre of country.”

The LG said J&K Sports Council is doing it’s best to promote the sports and have covered almost every district and every village.

“The budget for the Jammu and Kashmir’s sports sector is higher as compared to other states of the country. Maharashtra is known for the highest budget for education and youth sports and if we combine both we are just 48 crores away from that highest budgeting state,” the LG said.

The athletes are the role models for the youth across the country, we are looking for the young people to bring an honor to sports field and the country, he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 10 : Ministry of Home Affairs has posted senior IPS officer Nitish Kumar to Jammu and Kashmir following his repatriation from central deputation.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Nitish Kumar of AGMUT cadres was on central deputation for few years.

“Consequent upon his repatriation from Central Deputation, Sh. Nitish Kumar, IPS (AGMUT:1999) is hereby posted to Jammu & Kashmir with immediate effect and until further orders,” reads the order—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Feb 09 : Amid heavy snowfall, scores of people at Karnah in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district held a protest demonstration and took out a march to the mini secretariat to press for their demand of a tunnel at the Sadna Pass.

Holding placards and the national flag in their hands, the protesters raised slogans in favour of their demand. They also sought the assistance of the district administration to ferry back the bodies of three Karnah residents to their respective native places for last rites.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) over the phone, the protesters said they were promised the Sadna tunnel in 2009. “Since then, we are only being told that a detailed project report (DPR) of the tunnel is being prepared but no one knows the reality,” they said.

We have been protesting for the last 30 years, demanding construction of a tunnel at the Sadhna Pass on the Kupwara-Tanghdar highway, which has emerged as a “death trap” over the years, a protester said.

He said the Kupwara-Karnah stretch has become highly vulnerable to avalanches and landslides which disconnects them from the rest of the valley and leads to the shortage of essential and medical supplies.

“When it snows, we have to carry patients on our shoulders and trek to reach the hospitals in Kupwara or Srinagar as we don’t have any medium of transport,” another protest said, adding that the government should consider their situation and construct a 6-kilometre-long tunnel at the Sadhna Top.

Notably, in 2021, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jammu & Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina said that work on the much-awaited Sadhna Top tunnel will start soon and its detailed project report (DPR) will be ready by March 2022. The Central government has allocated Rs 1300 crore for the construction of the tunnel and the work on the same will start soon, Raina had said earlier.

The protesters also demanded assistance from the district administration to ferry back the dead bodies of three Karnah residents to their native places. “The mortal remains of three of our people are stuck at the Handwara mortuary, one each from Ghabra, Bhattpora and Amrooj,” they said.

It is pertinent to mention here that a few days ago; the district administration facilitated the mortal remains of four Karnah residents to their respective areas by escorting the men and machinery on the snow-covered Kupwara-Karnah road—(KNO)