Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 07 : Municipal Council Sopore on Tuesday warned street vendors for using megaphones/loudspeakers within the municipal limits and ordered them to carry registration certificates.

The blaring megaphones cause inconvenience to senior citizens and students who attend classes or study, said residents. “The usage of loudspeakers for business purposes by the mobile vendors has added to the increased noise pollution,” they added.

An official at the municipal council Sopore told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that strict action would be taken against those vendors found using the megaphones/loudspeakers for selling fruits/vegetables and other items within their municipality limits.

“The carts would be seized on spot”, the official said.

He directed registered vendors to carry the municipal registration certificates failing which a legal action would be taken.

“Many have made complaints to the council by social media or phone, following which the senior officials directed their subordinates to take action,” said an employee at the council—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : Authorities on Tuesday deployed seven government teachers as ‘Duty Magistrate’ in order to maintain law and order during the shooting of the movie ’Fighter’ at Pahalgam.

According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sub Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam has said, “In order to maintain law and order during the shooting of the film ‘Fighter’ at Pahalgam, seven officials are deployed as duty magistrates at different locations with effect from February-07 to February-11.”

“The duty magistrates shall closely monitor the situation at the respective locations in coordination with their respective police counterparts and submit hourly reports to Tehsildar Pahalgam, who shall keep overall magisterial supervision of the situation during the shooting of the film,” it reads.

Pertinently, Fighter is an upcoming Hindi movie scheduled to be released on 25 Jan, 2024.

The movie is directed by Siddharth Anand and will feature Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor as lead characters. Cast and Crew. Siddharth AnandDirector, Producer. Hrithik RoshanActor—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : In a significant move, Jammu & Kashmir’s different departments have set up committees to identify provisions in the laws which need to be removed or decriminalized.

Details available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that several departments have set up committees in the past three months to identify the provisions in the laws and Rules which need to be removed or decriminalized. The departments have been directed to make recommendations regarding the laws/Rules administered by them.

According to an order issued on January 30, 2023, the Department of Social Welfare has set-up a panel under the chairmanship of its special secretary to identify provisions in the Acts and Rules which need to be deleted.

As per the order, the heads of the departments/representatives shall within a period of one week identify the provisions that require to be removed/retained or decriminalized in the various Acts/Rules relating to the Department based on their feedback from the field, which shall be placed before the committee for scrutiny and examination.

“The committee shall accordingly make appropriate recommendations to the Department for the retention/ removal/ decriminalization of such provisions,” the order states.

On December 8, 2022, the Home department also set up a committee under the chairmanship of additional secretary (SR) for identifying provisions in the laws which were to be removed and decriminalized.

The seven- member committee constituted by the Home Department also comprised representatives of Director General of Police and Director General of Police,Prisons, J&K.

Before this, on November 25, the Roads & Buildings Department appointed Prakash Chander Tanoch, Development Commissioner Works to look into the matter and suggest changes, if any, regarding existing Acts/ Rules.

It is worthwhile to mention that the Government of India had also undertaken decriminalization of minor technical and procedural offences under existing Acts/Rules to reduce the fear of imprisonment among businesses/citizens—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 06: Jammu and Kashmir is generating over 51,000 tonnes of plastic waste with Kashmir producing 31,000 and Jammu over 20,000 tonnes in a year.

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic amorphous solid materials derived from oil and natural gas.

A senior Scientist from J&K Pollution Control Board told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that 51,710.60 tons of plastic waste is being generated in J&K per year.

He said that Kashmir generates 31,375.60 tons plastic waste per annum while Jammu division generates 20,335 tons plastic waste per annum.

He said that due to lack of proper collection and management, the ‘throw away culture’ of plastic results in bags finding their way in the city drainage system and thus choking the drains.

He said that littering of land by plastic bags presents an ugly and unhygienic scene. The littering also reduces the rate of rain water percolation resulting in lowering water table levels, and plastics go into the water bodies which are already polluted due to many sources, he added.

“Fish and other aquatic animals mistake plastic as food items, plastics become a nuisance because of their non-biodegradability. Animals chew carry bags sometimes die, soil fertility deteriorates as plastic bags form part of manure and remain in soil for years. Polythene bags if burnt release highly toxic gases like phosgene, carbon monoxide, chlorine, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide beside deadly toxins and require a large area for disposal and there are further waste disposal impacts related to landfills and incineration.”

He said that during the manufacturing process of polythene carry bags various harmful components and chemicals like colourants, pigments, plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers and heavy metals are used.

Colours used during the process are mostly non-food grade and leach out with other chemicals or components thus contaminating food and other items carried in these bags. “These chemicals can cause diseases like cancer, degeneration of brain tissues, heart enlargement etc,” he said.

“Most of us take metals with ready-to-eat food items, if carried in the coloured polythene carry bags like lead through black polythene carry bags, chromium through red polythene carry bags, copper through blue polyethene carry bags and salt of barium through green polythene carry bags,” he said.

He said that the government has been taking steps for management of non-biodegradable material and has already banned use of polythene in J&K while public cooperation is of utmost importance.

He said that there are 254 plastic manufacturing/recycling units registered in J&K including 146 in Jammu and 108 in Kashmir.

He said that 20.17 MT of illegal polythene and 01.35 MT of SUP were seized during 2020-21 and a fine of Rs 4,83,300 was recovered from defaulters in the same period—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 06 (KNO): Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar on Monday visited Baramulla and chaired a detailed review meeting.

During the meeting, prevailing security scenario, anti-terrorist operations, additional measures for counter-infiltration grid like establishing more BOPs for enhancing intelligence gathering, effective investigation, law & order and anti-drug drive were discussed at threadbare, a police spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

On the occasion, the meeting was attended by DIG North Kashmir Range Vivek Gupta, SSP Baramulla, SSP Kupwara, SSP Bandipora, SSP Handwara and SSP Sopore.

During the meeting, ADGP Kashmir was briefed by DIG North Kashmir about the overall prevailing security situation, & counter-Infiltration grids and counter-militant operations in the North Kashmir Range.

While appreciating the efforts of Police for maintaining law & order, he emphasised upon the officers to adopt professional approach while dealing with counter militant operations.

He also urged upon officers to strengthen the general security grid and ensure great synergy and coordination among all the agencies working on ground. He also emphasized upon the officers to keep strict vigil on the anti-national elements especially militant associates who are hell bent to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the valley. Special focus was given on handling drug menace and strict action against drug peddlers.

With regard to area domination in hinterland, ADGP Kashmir directed the officers to revisit the existing plan in consultation with other forces and ensure proper area domination including night domination.

He also directed the officers to ensure strict naka checking so as to restrict the movement of anti-national elements. While discussing investigation of cases, he stressed upon officers to complete investigation of pending cases on priority basis.

While highlighting the role of police-public relations, ADGP Kashmir stressed on the officers to take public-centric approach in policing and ensure service-oriented policing which will help in gaining the confidence and bridge the gap between police and general public—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 06 : Locals of Krankshivan Colony of Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are up in arms against the Roads & Buildings (R&B) department over the dilapidated condition of the Sopore-Krankshivan road, demanding its immediate restoration.

The aggrieved residents while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) alleged, “Every year, lakhs of rupees are released for the construction and maintenance of the road, but the stretch from Krankshivan Colony Culvert to Alamdar Colony has always been ignored by the concerned authorities.”

The road is dotted with huge potholes and has not been repaired for long, the residents said, adding that the authorities are least bothered about the sufferings of people. “The area has been overlooked by the consecutive governments and nobody seems to be taking our issues seriously,” they added.

The locals said they apprised the R&B department several times of “such a genuine demand” but to no avail. “The road has become a nuisance for the residents as well as transporters, especially during rains as the road has been totally tattered,” said Nayeem Ahmed, a local.

“Just a few hours of rain causes water-logging. The dilapidated condition of the road itself speaks of the incompetence of the authorities,” Nayeem added.

Rayees Ahmed, another resident, said that there is no proper drainage system in the area and the R&B department has “miserably failed” to take any step in this regard. “The accumulated water due to rains directly enters our houses as the area has no proper drainage system. Our lawns turn into ponds,” he said.

The residents have appealed to the higher authorities to inspect the road and take necessary steps toward its repair.

An official at the R&B Division, Sopore told KNO that the issue will be resolved once funds are released—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 06 : Announcing the Haj-2023 policy for this year’s holy pilgrimage of Haj, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) today said that this year there will be 25 Haj Embankment points while as Haj application forms will be made available after three days and there will be no fee for the same.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), exclusively, Member HCoI, Er Aijaz Hussain said after a crucial meeting of HCoI, it was decided that this year there will be 25 embankment points for the pilgrims across the country and Haj application forms will be made available within three days.

Er Aijaz also said that HCoI also announced to abolish the VIP quouta under which dignitaries were entitled to accomodate five to ten pilgrims under the quota. “There will be no VIP quouta henceforth,” Er Aijaz said.

Pertinently, after thorough discussions between HCoI and Saudi Government, it was decided that this year over 1,75000 pilgrims will perform the holy pilgrimage of Haj 2023.

Er Aijaz said that additional embankment points will help facilitate the pilgrims smoothly across the country. On January 10, India had signed the bilateral agreement with the Saudi Government to fix the total number of pilgrims this year. Er Aijaz said that HCoIs endeavour this year will be to make Haj2023 cheaper compared to previous years and ensure more and better facilities to pilgrims at both holy cities of Makah and Madina—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 04 : Amid the ongoing anti-encroachment drive, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader Anwar Khan on Saturday said those who have settled on a small chunk of land need not to worry as the government would not touch poor people.

Addressing a press conference in Baramulla, he as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that anti-encroachment for retrieval of government land is not going to affect the poor, who have settled on 5-10 marlas of land.

But influential people won’t be spared, he added.

“Whosoever will touch the poor during the anti-encroachment drive shall have to walk over our dead bodies. BJP always supports common people,” Anwar said.

He said that the time has gone when the political parties were using Kashmiris for their benefits, now people are very much aware about what is right and what is wrong for them.

Anwar also refuted the rumours of retrieved land being given to the outsiders, saying it is baseless and far from the reality as nothing such is going to happen.

“There is a clear stand of the Modi led government that everyone is ensured to shelter. So the poor are not going to suffer in this regime,” he added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 04 : Inhabitants of Naseerabad, Chinkipora area in Sopore town have appealed for repair of faulty defunct drainage system in their area.

As per the locals, light showers cause water logging in the said area because of faulty drainage.

Aggrieved residents told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it is a flood-like situation in Naseerabad, Chinkipora locality as drain water entered their houses. “Our lawns turned into ponds,” the locals said.

The residents said that they approached the concerned department many times to no avail.

“We have been moving from pillar to post to get our genuine demand redressed but it seems the concerned departments are hand in glove with the contractor”, they alleged.

An official at the R&B division Sopore told KNO that the drain is not yet completed. “There is a project of deep drain in Sopore at an estimated cost of over Rs 3 crore which would be taken up soon”, the official said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 04 : People are questioning the assurances of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha that “only influential and powerful people who misused their position and violated the law to encroach upon the state land” would face action, saying common people are also being targeted by the anti-encroachment authorities.

Intensifying its operations to retrieve the encroached government land in Srinagar, the authorities on Saturday held multiple drives claiming that the land illegally occupied by “influential persons” was retrieved at many places.

However, during an anti-encroachment drive at Padshahibagh Mehjoor Nagar in Srinagar on Saturday, the people alleged that the authorities are targetting their “proprietary land despite genuine documents”. Many also alleged that they were not even served notice or given any information about the eviction.

“We have been doing business on this land for years. We have bank liabilities. Are we land grabbers? It is just a few marlas of land. Why is the government after the poor people,” one of the targeted families told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The women present at the site said, “Other than that patch of land, we have nothing. Snatching it will push us to poverty.”

“The fencing wall of our land has been demolished. We have papers of this land registered way back in 1972, but without checking anything they demolished the wall. Why did they run away now; let them prove our property is illegal,” said another family.

Notably, various political parties have been echoing that the poor be spared in the drive, while the authorities are stating that the move is “pro-people”. In a meeting on Thursday, the Chief Secretary directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) to safeguard the habitations and livelihoods of the poor and downtrodden.

The anti-encroachment drives are being carried out by the teams established by the district magistrates of various areas of the valley.

In a claim that their properties were on state land, the authorities demolished a series of properties, boundary walls, and fencings belonging to many politicians, those in service, and retired bureaucrats.

The boundary wall and guard house of the National Conference General Secretary and former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar at Humhama near the Srinagar airport were also demolished.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Lone in a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urged him to issue a formal order for the poor and marginalised communities so they can be differentiated against those who are involved in a land grab.

The Supreme Court of India also refused to stay the move as it was hearing a petition against the order issued by the J&K administration.

Meanwhile, Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday demanded a formal order from the Raj Bhavan to spare the poor in the ongoing anti-encroachment drive.

The Jammu and Kashmir government faced criticism after issuing an order on January 9 ordering all district officials to remove all encroachments on public land by January 31, 2023. In the midst of growing concerns over ‘dispossession,’ there have been numerous protests.

Meanwhile, KNO tried to reach out to the concerned officials for their comments on the allegations by the people at Padshahibagh; however, there was no response to the repeated calls and messages—(KNO)