Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 09 : Gulmarg is all set to host Khelo India Winter Games 2023 from Friday with all arrangements in place to make it a grand event.

The meadow witnesses massive flow of foreign tourists especially during winters for skiing.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Khelo India Winter Games 2023 are jointly organised by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur visited Tangmarg ahead of the commencement of the winter Games played snow cricket amidst snowfall.

He told reporters that Khelo India is a campaign wherein youth games, university games and winter games are organised.

The minister said Youth Games are going on in nine cities of Madhya Pradesh.

“This snowfall marks the commencement of Winter Games in Gulmarg, the heaven on earth. Over 1500 participants from across the country are here. They will participate in 11 games in the 6-day-long Khelo India Winter Games. This will be the biggest such event till date”, he said as per the KNO.

Officials told KNO that all the necessary arrangements including accommodation, health facilities, transportation, parking and other facilities are in place. The event will start from February 10 till 14.

About 1700 athletes from across the country and 350 VIPs and VVIPs are scheduled to attend the event, they said.

Recently, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched the 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games Anthem, mascot and jersey.

In 2020, the first edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, which was aimed to popularise winter games among the youth across the country were held in Leh and Gulmarg, marking the first of its kind event in India—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 09 : The northern and southern districts on Thursday received fresh snowfall while the rains lashed Srinagar and other adjacent areas, bringing down the temperature in Kashmir. The weatherman has predicted more rains and snow for the next 24 hours in J&K parts.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that several areas including a famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, Gurez, Sadhna Top, Karnah, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and other southern districts received fresh snowfall today.

As per the data, Gulmarg recorded a snowfall of 18 inches while the plains of north Kashmir recorded 3-6 inches of snow till today evening. It further added that Gurez recorded a fresh snow of about one foot today while Tangdar, Sumbal Bala Ganderbal, Lolab and other areas recorded a snowfall of about 7 inches.

Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus told KNO that there is a possibility of cloudy weather conditions with light rain and snow at scattered places of J&K on February 10.

He further advised people to stay alert and away from avalanche prone areas.

Moreover, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority issued a fresh avalanche warning in twelve districts for the upcoming 24 hours.

The DMA issued a ‘Medium Level’ warning above 2000 to 2500 metres over Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch districts.

The authority also expressed apprehension of ‘Low Level’ avalanche occurrence above 2000 to 2500 metres over Reasi, Rajouri and Ramban districts.

People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas.

Meanwhile, the authorities said that Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for over three hours today.

The official spokesman of the Traffic Police department said that the highway remained blocked for 2 hours 32 minutes due to shooting stones at Cafeteria. He also said that C-N Tunnel was closed by tunnel authority for 1 hour and 3 minutes, making the total blockage of 3 hours and 35 minutes.

However, the Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road continued to remain closed for the vehicular movement since the first week of January in view of snow accumulation—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 09 : The authorities on Thursday banned two doctors of Government Medical College Baramulla from doing any private practice across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Zafarullah assistant professor (ENT) and Dr Shafaqat Ahmad Lone associate professor (ENT) have been banned from doing any private practice.

“Pending enquiry to the allegations, regarding the issue related to the referral of patients from Public hospital to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme and illegal up-coding of packages, two doctor s are hereby banned from doing any private practice across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with immediate effect.” reads the order—(KNO)

Hajin, Feb 09 : A 24-year-old pregnant woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her residence in Mukhdamyari village of Hajin in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman identified as Ulfat Bano wife of Mohammad Ashraf of Mukhdamyari was found lying unconscious at het home.

He said soon after she was taken to Community Health Centre Hajin where she was declared dead on her arrival.

“The cause of death will be ascertained after postmortem,” he said.

Meanwhile, police have started inquest proceedings into the matter—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : At least six districts of Jammu and Kashmir including the summer capital of the Union Territory, Srinagar have recorded deficient rainfall since January 01-February 08, 2023, a data compiled by Meteorological department reveals on Wednesday.

The data, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals that J&K in general has recorded normal rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 125.5 mm, it recorded 143.5 mm, which is 14 per cent above normal.

However, six of the districts including Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kathua, Jammu and Shopian have recorded deficient rainfall with official data stating that Srinagar has recorded 91.3 mm rainfall against 113.5 mm normal rainfall, indicating 20 per cent deficient rainfall since January 01 this year to February 08.

Against 88.6 mm normal rainfall, Budgam in central Kashmir has recorded 53.7 mm rainfall during the same period and also against 95.3 mm, Bandipora has recorded only 54.8mm rainfall, which is 39 and 43 per cent deficient rainfall respectively in the two districts.

The data further reads that Shopian has recorded 38 per cent deficient rainfall till today, adding that against normal rainfall of 60.9 mm, the district has recorded only 37.8 mm rainfall till today.

Jammu and Kathua districts have also recorded 41 and 38 per cent deficient rainfall respectively, the data added.

Moreover, the data reads that seven J&K districts including Anantnag, Doda, Kulgam, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri and Ramban have recorded excess rainfall since January 01 till today.

It added that six J&K districts including Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Samba, Kupwara, Reasi and Udhampur have recorded normal rainfall during the same period.

Meanwhile, the weatherman here has predicted light snowfall in J&K.

Director Meteorological department, Sonum Lotus said that there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate snowfall and rain in J&K with chances of heavy snowfall over higher reaches from tomorrow afternoon till 10th February.

The night temperature plummeted once again at a few places while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a low of minus 7.6 degree Celsius.

Srinagar also recorded minus 0.1 degree Celsius while Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.5 degree Celsius—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : Authorities on Wednesday foiled the protest led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Jammu & Kashmir by detaining her along with several party leaders in New Delhi. However, the party leaders in Srinagar also carried out a protest march here to press for her immediate release.

Scores of PDP leaders led by the party chief carried out a protest rally in New Delhi against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive. However, Mehbooba Mufti was immediately detained soon after she tried to hold a sit-in. The former chief minister was later released.

Meanwhile, scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) functionaries and leaders staged a protest outside the party headquarters here.

Raising slogans against Delhi Police, and shouting slogans like “Our Land, your orders won’t work”, the protesters said, “Today our party president Mehbooba Mufti had planned a protest in Delhi, neither are we allowed here nor in Delhi to register our protest, is BJP running dictatorship here”.

Party Spokesperson Najmu Saqib told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that after the detention of their party president in New Delhi, they wanted to hold a protest in Srinagar’s Press Colony to seek the immediate release of Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders accompanying her, but they were not allowed to proceed.

The protesters also said that the party will continue to protest till the order regarding anti-encroachment is revoked by the government—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Wednesday said that year 2022 saw the highest number of anti-militancy operations in J&K in which 187 militants were killed while civilian and security forces killings were at all-time low.

Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha, the MHA said that 111 counter militancy operations were launched in 2022, which is highest since 2018 that recorded 100 such operations.

“In 2018, 228 militancy related incidents were recorded, 153 in 2019, 1126 in 2020, 129 in 2021 and 125 in 2022,” the MHA reply states as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). It further states that the year 2018 saw 189 encounters. “In 2019, 102 encounters were reported, 118 in 2020, 100 in 2021 and 117 in 2022,” the reply reads.

It further reads that 39 civilians were killed in 2018, 39 again in 2019, 37 in 2020, 41 in 2021 and 30 in 2022. “91 security forces personnel were killed in action in 2018, 80 in 2019, 62 in 2020, 42 in 2021 and 31 in 2022, (which is lowest since 2018),” the reply adds.

It states that year 2018 saw 100 counter militancy operations while as in year 2019, 74 such operations were launched. “Year 2020 recorded 100 such operations, year 2021, 95 and year 2021 and 111 in 2021 (highest since 2018,” it reads.

The reply also states that in year 2018, 17 militants were arrested, 20 in 2019, 21 in 2020, 17 in 2021 and 24 in 2022.

“In 2018, the highest number of militants were killed at 257, 157 were killed in 2019,221 in 2020, 180 in 2021 and 187 in 2022,” the reply reads.

In reply to another query, the MHA stated that no new Village Defence Groups (VDGs) were created while the existing ones are continuing. “At present, sanctioned strength of VDGs is 4985 of which 4153 have been constituted,” the reply reads—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested an official of Tourism Development Corporation and a lecturer of Polytechnic College in a bribery case in Jammu.

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) CBI arrested today arrested a Chief Accounts Officer (KAS), Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation and a Lecturer, Govt. Polytechnic College in a bribery of Rs. 2.3 lakh.

The statement reads a case was registered on complaint against the accused on the allegations that the Chief Accounts Officer demanded bribe of Rs. 2.3 lakh through the lecturer from the complainant for processing payment in respect of bills submitted by his firm.

“CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding & accepting bribe of Rs. 2.3 lakh from the Complainant. Searches are being conducted at the official and residential premises of the accused,” it reads.

It reads both the arrested, identified as Sajad Ahmed, Chief Accounts Officer and Shokat Ali, Lecturer, will be produced tomorrow before the Court of Special Judge CBI cases, Jammu—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : School Education Department has sought a list of Out of School Children with Special Needs recently identified in ‘Talaash’ survey for their enrollment in schools.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) said this in a communique to all Chief Education Officers with regard to issuance of disability certificates to Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in Schools.

DSEK informed CEOs that Deputy Director Health Services Kashmir has communicated to all Chief Medical Officers of Kashmir to conduct medical camps for issuance of Disability Certificates at Schools by organizing medical camps at block and cluster level for maximum coverage.

The department has also called for sensitizing Children with Special Needs (CwSN) about the provisions and other entitlements provided in Schools to ensure the enrollment of all the children with special needs.

“In this regard Directorate of Health Services has requested all Chief Education Officers to provide them the list of Schools where CwSN are enrolled to the concerned Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of their District,” DSEK said.

It also said, “CEOs may also be provided the list of Out of School Children with Special Needs recently identified in Talaash survey for their enrolment in schools.”

DSEK further said that the information must include the name of planner, School Head mentioned in Talaash survey of the school in the proximity of the residence of these Out of School Children with Special Needs.

“All CEOs are requested to provide the concerned CMO the requisite information as mentioned under rules,” it reads—(KNO)