Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 30 : A 29-Year-old man was found dead in Warpora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday even as police have launched the probe.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the man was found dead mysteriously inside a house in Badshah Mohallah of Warpora.

He said the body was subsequently taken to sub-district hospital Sopore, while the cause of death was being ascertained and further investigation has been taken up.

The man was identified as Shahzad Ahmed Malik of Bunpora Warpora—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 30 : Due to fresh snowfall in Kashmir and parts of Jammu, Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been closed, while all flights have also been delayed at the Srinagar International Airport and train service from Banihal to Baramulla was also suspended.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that train service will remain suspended till snow on the railway track is removed.

The fresh snowfall also disrupted flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport as all morning flights have been delayed.

Director Srinagar International Airport Kuldeep Singh said the visibility was only 200 M and there is continuous snowfall.

“Wr are simultaneously clearing the snow. All flights are delayed,” he said.

He also advised air passengers to check the status of their flights from respective airlines before coming to the airport to avoid inconvenience and congestion

Meanwhile, Srinagar-Jammu national highway was also shut for vehicular movement due to mudslides and shooting stones at many places between Chanderkot and Banihal and fresh snowfall in Qazigund area.

“Due to shooting stones and slide in various stretches, NH closed for traffic,” SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma tweeted—(KNO)

Baramulla, Jan 28 (GNS): Police on Saturday rescued a Norwegian tourist who lost his track on return from skiing in Gulmarg and got stuck in Khar Nallah forests Drung, police said.

“Acting upon the information, two police rescue teams of police station Gulmarg and Tourism Department were formed who followed two tracks around the forest area and finally reached at the location of the foreign skier,” a police official told GNS, adding, “He was rescued from the forest area of Drung by the rescue teams and was brought back to Gulmarg safely.”

The foreign tourist, Oeyvind Aamot of Norway, who arrived in morning at Gulmarg and went for skiing, expressed his gratitude towards Baramulla police for timely help.

Meanwhile, SSP Baramulla Amod Ashok Nagpure (IPS) has appreciated the rescue teams and announced a cash reward in their favour, the official added. (GNS)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 28 : Inhabitants of Ganaie Mohalla Amargrah in Sopore said they are reeling under dark from the last month due to frequent technical snags in an electric transformer.

The residents assembled in front of the PDD SE office in Sopore and staged a protest against the department.

“The installed 100 KV transformer for at least 50 households develops technical snags frequently, sometimes 5 times a month. We have been spending thousands of rupees on it every month especially during winter periods”, said a local Shakeel Ahmed told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

The residents said the upgradation of the transformer has been a long pending demand.

The concerned official from PDD could not be contacted for comments—(KNO)

Anantnag, Jan 27: Congress leader and Member Parliament Rahul Gandhi Friday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of a big security lapse at Jawahar Tunnel stating that police were missing to control the crowd that had come to his reception.

“When we crossed from Navyug Tunnel at Qazigund, there was a huge crowd for my reception. But there was not a single police man to manage or control the crowd. My security guards advised me not to go ahead,” Rahul said addressing a press conference at Khanabal, Anantnag, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “It is very difficult for me to go against what my security guards advise me.”

He said that he was hopeful that security arrangements would be elaborate for his future programs that includes his culmination rally at Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) office in Srinagar where he is supposed to unfurl the tri-colour on January 30 and address a mega rally.

He said Yatra will continue and will conclude in Srinagar as per Schedule. Speaking on the occasion, senior Congress leader Jai Ram Ramesh said that Rahul was supposed to walk 16 kms today but he could walk only 4 kms due to breach of security. He said that administration must ensure proper security for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the days ahead, especially when it reaches Srinagar.

He said due to the wrong policies of BJP and RSS, India as a nation is falling apart and the Yatra is an effort to bring the folks together. Ramesh said that BJY has nothing to do with the election politics as of now. “We keep on stating that there are two ways: one that of BJP and RSS and another that of Congress which is the Gandhian way.”

Meanwhile, several Congress leaders have also alleged security lapse in Banihal and Qazigund during Bharat Jodo Yatra on Friday.

J&K UT administration failed to provide security to Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi. Security lapses indicate unfair & unprepared attitude of UT administration,” tweets Rajani Patil, Congress incharge J&K and Ladakh.

“The sudden withdrawal of security personnel from the D-area has caused a serious security breach at the #BharatJodoYatra at Banihal, Kashmir.

Who ordered this? The authorities responsible must answer for this lapse & take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future,” tweeted another congress leader K C Venugopal.

“J&K UT Administration failed to provide security to #BharatJodoYatra led by Shri @RahulGandhi Security lapses indicate unfair & unprepared attitude of UT administration,” J&K congress tweeted.

Notably, the Yatra resumed after two days from Banihal, the home town of JKPCC president where hundreds of people were present to welcome Congress leaders. He was joined by former CM of J&K and NC Vice Omar Abdullah in Banihal.

Omar while reacting to the security lapse said that he witnessed that outer layer of security vanished suddenly.

“I’m witness to this. The outer ring of the cordon which was maintained by J&K police simply vanished within minutes of @RahulGandhi starting to walk. We had just crossed into Kashmir from Jammu & were looking forward to the 11 KM walk but unfortunately it had to be cancelled,” he tweeted.

Rahul was welcomed by several party leaders including former JKPCC president G A Mir at the entrance of the tunnel from Qazigund side along with hundreds of workers.

He was joined by PDP leaders and workers led by PDP spokesperson Suhail Bhukhari as well.

POLICE DENIES SECURITY LAPSE: Jammu and Kashmir police said there was no security lapse at all in the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

In a statement, issued to the KNO, a police spokesman said police was not consulted before taking any decision on discontinuing the Yatra after conducting 1 Km Yatra by the organisers.

Police also said only authorised persons as identified by organisers & frisked crowd was allowed inside towards the route of Yatra.

“Organisers & managers of BJY did not intimate about large gathering from Banihal joining the Yatra, which thronged near the starting point?,” it said. It further said full security arrangements were in place including 15 Coys of CAPFs and 10 Coys of JKP, comprising ROPs and QRTs, route domination, lateral deployment and SFs were deployed for high-ridge and other deployments.

“JKP was not consulted before taking any decision on discontinuation of Yatra after conducting 1 km Yatra by organizers. Rest of the Yatra continued peacefully. There was no security lapse at all. We will provide fool-proof security,” the police said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz, Sopore, Jan 27 : A 16-year-old boy has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to death in Sangrampora Batapora locality of Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said here on Friday evening

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a boy (name withheld) hanged himself to death at his residence in Sangrampora Batapora area of Sopore town.

They said that he was rushed to SDH Sopore where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, a police official told KNO that they have taken the cognizance of the incident and started the further investigations into the matter—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 27: Former chief minister and National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah Friday joined Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal area of Ramban district.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Omar Abdullah joined the Yatra at Banihal while several J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders are presently waiting in Qazigund to join the Yatra.

Reports said former JKPCC president, Ghulam Ahmad Mir and vice president Raman Bhalla are among the leaders who join the Yatra in Qazigund.

The yatra would enter Kashmir today after it resumed from Banihal this morning and would pass through Vessu area of Anantnag—(KNO)

Bandipora Jan 26: The Republic Day Celebrations were held across the District Bandipora which witnessed overwhelming public participation.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmed unfurled the flag at mini Secretariat Bandipora.

Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted various aspects of Republic Day Celebrations and threw light on the essence of Republic Day, adoption of Constitution, rights available to citizens and duties of citizens towards nation.

The National Flag unfurling ceremony at mini Secretariat was attended by ADC Bandipora Waseem Raja, ACR Bandipora Parvaiz Rahim besides other senior officers and officials from District Administration.

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 26: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from CRPF contingent at the office premises today to celebrate 74th Republic Day, here.

The unfurling of tricolor was followed by the National Anthem.

Meanwhile, the Div Com extended Republic Day greetings to the officers of Divisional Administration and security who were present on the occasion.

Among others present on the occasion were Additional Commissioner Kashmir Qazi Sarwar, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Abid Hussain Kira, police officers and other officers and staff of Div Com office.