Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Jan 21 : On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray a joint teams of Revenue department lead by the concerned Tehsildars have retrieved 4021 kanals of State and Kacharie land in various tehsils of the district, an official said here on Saturday.

A top official in the administration told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that during the ongoing drive, the district administration has retrieved at least 4021 kanals of State and Kahcharai land across the district as on date which the government said can be used for community purposes.

Giving Tehsil wise details, the official said that in Tehsil Kupwara, 280 kanals of land have been retrieved during the drive till date which include 205 kanal kacharie land and 75 kanal state land.

Similarly, in Drugmulla, at least 301 kanals of kahcharai land have been retrieved which include 276 kanals single patch of land and 25 kanals which was used as commercial purposes.

In Vilgam Tehsil of the district 1863 kanals of land including 758 kanals of state land and 1105 of kacharie land have been retrieved.

In Kralpora Tehsil, 247 kanals of land have been retrieved which include 142 kanals state land and 105 kanals of Kacharie land.

In Keran Tehsil, 712 kanals of land have been retrieved which include 617 kanals state land and 95 kanals of kacharie land.

In Sogam and Lalpora Tehsils, 114 kanal and 14 marlas have been retrieved from Dardapora Lolab while as 20 kanals from Chandigam and Sogam each.

Similarly, 70 kanals of kacharie and state land have been retrieved from Trehgam Tehsil, while 50 kanals of land in Karnah Tehsil.

Giving further details, the official said that, in subdivision of Handwara, at least 46 kanal and 15 marlas of state and kacharie land have been retrieved from the encroachers in Tehsil Handwara while as 26 kanals in Taratpora Tehsil, 80 kanals in Langate, 70 kanals in Qalamabad and 116 kanals in Qaziabad and Kralgund Tehsils.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner, Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray said that the drive will continue and no one will be spared. While directing the tehsildars and enforcement teams to speed up the drive against the land encroachments in their respective jurisdictions, said that all the illegal encroachments on the State as well as Kahcharai land will be removed.

The DC has sought the cooperation of the general public in retrieving the government land from land grabbers. He also warned of action under CrPC in matters of encroachment on State and Kahcharai land—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 21 : In a significant move, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir has unveiled the draft rules for implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Actin the Union Territory.

In a notification, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the department of Social Welfare has unveiled the draft “Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Child Marriage Rules, 2023”.

The draft rules, which have been put in public domain for seeking suggestions, have been framed under the powers vested with UT administration by sub-section (1) of section 19 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

The Social Welfare department has asked interested individuals, organisations, government statutory bodies and all other interested stakeholders to submit their feedback on the proposal within 15 days.

The key features of the draft rules is that the government has proposed to designate certain officers as “child marriage prohibition officers” within their respective jurisdiction.

The officers to be designated include chief education officer, zonal education officer, block medical officer, block development officer, assistant labour commissioner, assistant commissioner (Panchayat), district social welfare officer, child development protection officer, tehsildar and naib-Tehsildar.

According to the draft rules, it shall be the duty of every child marriage prohibition officer to act immediately upon any information of solemnization of any child marriage that may be received through any mode of communication including written or oral i.e. through a letter, telephone, telegram, e-mail etc. or by any other means and forthwith initiate all necessary action.

The officer shall furnish quarterly return and statistics to the district magistrate concerned and the directorates of social welfare Jammu/ Kashmir.

The officer shall file petition before a judicial magistrate first class/ metropolitan magistrate for obtaining information prohibiting a child marriage.

As per draft rules, the officer shall also file petition for annulling a child marriage in district court in case any of the contracting party to the marriage is a minor.

Their mandate is also to file petition before the district court for maintenance and residence to the female contracting party of the marriage until her remarriage.

They have also been empowered to file petition before the district court for the custody and maintenance of children of the child marriage.

According to the draft rules, these officers would be invested with the powers of police officer as prescribed in section 156, 160, 161, 165 and 175 of Criminal Procedure Code subject to the condition that such powers are exercised by the said officer herself/ himself within her/ his jurisdiction for taking cognizance of offences prescribed under the Act.

The draft rules also state that the district magistrate shall ensure that in every panchayat, a committee is constituted to assist the child marriage prohibition officer in obtaining information about such child marriages, in prevention of such ceremonies and in annulling of such marriages.

These committees would comprise of Sarpanch (chairperson), supervisor, mission Poshan (convener), village level worker/secretary panchayat (member), head master of the nearest school/senior teacher (member) and one women ward member(member)

According to the draft rules, it shall be the duty of local priests of any religion bestowed with the solemnization of marriages, to inform the “child marriage prohibition officer” of her/ his area about the likelihood of such child marriages and shall refrain from solemnizing such marriages with a view to prevent such instances of child marriage.

The rules state that the government of Jammu and Kashmir may declare suitable awards for such persons on whose initiatives/ information the incident(s) of child marriages are prevented. “The district magistrates shall also felicitate such persons on suitable occasions of National importance,” the rules state—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 21 : Irresponsible media reporting is one of the main reasons behind suicide contagion in Jammu & Kashmir, according to an expert, who has called for giving the least space to such acts so as to minimise the cases.

The media must behave responsibly while reporting suicide, Dr Yasir Hassan Rather, Professor, Department of Psychiatry (IMHANS) GMC Srinagar, said while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Suicide Contagion

Dr Yasir explained “suicide contagion” – an exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors through irresponsible media reports which can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors.

The risk for suicide contagion as a result of media reporting can be minimised by factual and concise media reports of suicide, Dr Yasir said, adding that the reports of suicide should not be repetitive as prolonged exposure can increase the likelihood of suicide contagion.

Explaining further, the doctor said, “Suicide is the result of many complex factors; therefore media coverage should not report oversimplified explanations such as recent negative life events or acute stressors and reports should not divulge detailed descriptions of the method used to avoid possible duplication besides that reports should not glorify the victim and should not imply that suicide was effective in achieving a personal goal such as gaining media attention.”

“Suicide cases shouldn’t come in limelight, it shouldn’t be given front page space, and suicide word should be avoided in the headline,” he said. “Unfortunately, social media usage has popularised the act of suicide both directly and indirectly, from its means of information sharing to the influence and consequences it has on emotional health.”

Copycat Suicide

He said that reports are made on how, where, when and through what conditions a person, who committed suicide, was going, and those persons who are going through the same condition have suicidal thoughts and this is the way and solution for him which is known as copycat suicide.

There are some other factors like unemployment, social, economic, and financial stress responsible for suicide or suicidal thoughts and the need of the hour is to help such persons, the doctor said.

“Around 90 percent of suicidal cases have underlying depression and other mental health issues and so it needs medical intervention,” he said, adding that anyone having suicidal thoughts may get help from the government free helpline Tele manas helpline number (18008914416) which is available 24×7.

What should be avoided?

The language that sensationalises or normalises suicide; photographs or video footage of the scenes of the place or the method; pictures of the deceased; sharing of suicide notes, and videos made before suicide as these may trigger mental health issues in many people.

Dr Yasir said suicide is not a result of a single factor or event. He said mental health illnesses are a strong predictor of suicide and mental disorders such as depression and substance use may influence an individual’s ability to cope with life stressors and interpersonal conflicts.

Media should not glamourise suicide but rather provide information about mental health professionals and helpline numbers, he said. “Responsible journalism on suicide can prevent such cases to a large extent.”—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 21 : Jammu and Kashmir’s security grid has been put on a high alert in the wake of upcoming Republic Day and the ensuing Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) while as frisking has been intensified in Srinagar, Jammu, highways, and sensitive areas of the Union Territory (UT).

A senior police official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that for the R-Day, security grid has been tightened and forces including police and CRPF have been deployed across the UT and all sorts of arrangements are in place to ensure smooth passage of all official functions of January 26.

“This time around, we have a double challenge—one of R-Day and another of BJY. Extra deployments have been made wherever necessary and all security agencies have been directed to maintain a highest level of alertness to foil the evil designs,” the official said, wishing not to be named.

BJY led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has already entered Jammu and is scheduled to reach Srinagar on January 30

He said that all vigil is being maintained on the highways, sensitive areas and in all major cities and towns. “In Jammu city, deployment has been made for both R-day and the BJY while similar arrangements have been put in place in Srinagar district,” the officer said.

Eye-witnesses told KNO that in Jammu city, police and paramilitary CRPF men have launched massive frisking operations while a close watch is being maintained on the suspects. In Srinagar, police including the women police and CRPF have started intense frisking operations with commuters travelling on four-wheelers and two-wheelers being frisked thoroughly. “I was travelling from Pantha Chowk to Sonwar and was stopped by CRPF men. I was asked to show the I-D card. The CRPF men also took my photograph and when I asked why he took the snap, he replied that he had to show it to his superior,” said Showkat Ahmed, a resident of Pantha Chowk.

Police sources said that as part of the heightened security grid for peaceful conduct of R-Day and BJY, all the CCTVs have been made functional in Srinagar and in all districts of Kashmir and movement of vehicles, pedestrians is being closely watched from the respective control rooms of police. A police source said that it was likely to go for aerial surveillance through drones in Srinagar and Jammu on January 26 to maintain aerial vigil. “We may use drones a day ahead of R-Day,” he said. “Night patrolling is also being conducted in several areas of Kashmir and Jammu.”

Many other commuters and auto-drivers said that they were stopped at multiple points from Dalgate to Lal Chowk and thoroughly frisked. The main R-Day function will be held at Jammu where LG Manoj Sinha will unfurl the tri-colour. In Srinagar, LG’s advisor, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar will take the salute of the parade and also hoist the national flag. Pertinently, LG Sinha told reporters at Zewan, Srinagar on January 20, that elaborate security arrangements have been made to facilitate BJY. Earlier, DGP Dilbagh Singh had stated that all security measures were in place for the smooth conduct of all official functions on R-Day eve across the UT—(KNO)

Srinagar, January 21 : Atleast five persons were injured in twin mysterious blast in Narwal area of Jammu on Saturday.

A senior police officer told GNS that the blasts were reported from two vehicles, leading to injuries to five persons.

The injured have been evacuated to nearby hospital.

“The area has been cordoned off and senior police officer along with other police personnel are at the spot and further investigations are underway,”.(GNS)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 20 : 25 -year-old Nadia Shameem of Adoora Baramulla has proved that no financial crisis, hardship and adversity can stop you from achieving your goal. Nadia, who cleared the prestigious Jammu & Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination, quit regular studies at very young age and took up a lowly-paid government job to support her family financially, but didn’t give up her dream of making it big in life.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Nadia said she did her schooling from Kekashan School, Handwara.

“I have done my initial schooling from Kehkashan School Handwara. After passing my 10th class examination, I got admission in the Saint Joseph Baramulla for higher secondary education. I secured 3rd position in the entrance examination conducted by the institution for admission,” she said.

Nadia said she got admission in SKUAST Kashmir, but had to quit her studies after she was selected for a job of in the civil secretariat.

“I had to quit my studies due to financial constraints. I joined as an orderly in the civil secretariat to support my family ,” she said.

Nadia said she continued her studies through distance mode after taking up the job.

“I completed my B.A (Hons) in Sociology from IGNOU because I wanted Sociology to be my optional,” she said, adding that she simultaneously started preparing for civil services.

“After getting into service, I got more insights and inspirations to be part of the service,” she added.

Nadia, who cracked the prestigious civil service examination in her maiden attempt, said her mother and her teachers were an inspiration for her.

“The motivation behind my journey was my mother, my teachers and my colleagues who had faith in me. Everybody would feel that I have the potential to do the best against all odds. This thing kept the fire alive in me,” she said.

She said it was a bit difficult to balance between job and studies, but she managed.

“I would get up early to study and off days on Saturday and Sunday really helped me in preparation for the examination. I took earned leave right before Prelims, Mains and Interview,” she said.

Her mother Shameema, a housewife, says her daughter excelled in studies right from childhood.

“My daughter has been an amazing student. She bagged state-level positions in 10th as well as 12th class. She was loved by all her teachers and relatives for being extraordinary,” she said.

Shameema says her daughter was adamant to be financially independent.

“It was her decision to quit studies at SKUAST as she is a very responsible daughter. After taking up the job, she took up another challenge to clear the civil services examination. She qualified the examination. I am proud of my daughter,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 20 : In the past five years, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a hike of five percent in taking paid private tuitions by the students of classes 1st to 8th standard.

The figures released by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)-2022 states that, “In JK, the proportion of children in Classes 1st to 8th taking paid private tuition classes have increased from 8.8 percent in 2018 to 13.8 percent in 2022.”

The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has also leant that the survey has also revealed that the proportion of children in 3rd standard in government or private schools who can read at least 2nd standard level text dropped from 22.1 percent in 2018 to 19.0 percent in 2022.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, the proportion of all children enrolled in Class-V in government or private schools who can at least read a Std II level text fell from 42 percent in 2018 to 35.2 percent in 2022,” ASER said.

The national survey further states that the proportion of children in Class-III in Jammu and Kashmir who are able to do at least do subtraction increased from 36.1 percent in 2018 to 38.7 percent in 2022.

“The proportion of children in Class-V who can do division has fallen slightly, from 25.1 percent in 2018 to 22.4 percent in 2022,” it reads.

It also states that the proportion of students in 5th standard who are able to read simple English sentences has fallen from 48.6 percent in 2016 to 45.6 percent in 2022. “Slight decrease is also visible for children in Class-VIII from 74.9 percent in 2016 to 71.1 percent in 2022.”—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 20 : The parts of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday even as the weather department has also forecast more rain and snowfall during the next few days.

As per details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, while plains received light to moderate snowfall.

With fresh snowfall, the night temperature slightly increased in many parts with Srinagar recording a 0.1 degrees Celsius last night, Pahalgam recorded minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg recorded minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded Minus 1.5 and Jammu recorded 8.7 degree Celsius.

The weatherman has also predicted cloudy weather conditions with light to moderate sow and rains in plains of Jammu over scattered to fairly widespread places from tomorrow till January 23.

Furthermore, the officials in the Meteorological department (MeT) said that with 60 per cent chances, there is a possibility of moderate snow/(rain in Jmu) and moderate to heavy snow over middle & higher reaches

Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall in Srinagar also delayed several morning flights at the Srinagar International Airport due to low visibility.

Director Srinagar Airport Kuldeep Singh told KNO that since early morning all flights were delayed due to poor visibility. “The flight operation started around 10: 30 now following improvement in the weather,” he said.

He said flights from Srinagar airport were delayed due to NOTAM not due to bad weather.

“So far no flight has been cancelled due to weather. All flights scheduled for today have been delayed,” he added.

With fresh snowfall and rain in some parts, the traffic movement was also halted on Srinagar-Jammu highway today morning, while several border roads already remain closed.

An official said that the traffic movement remained disrupted for three hours and 20 minutes due to shooting stones at Panthyal.

“Subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa tomorrow. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” officials said.

He said that Sonamarg-Leh, Mughal and Gurez roads are already closed due to accumulation of snowfall—(KNO)

Jammu, Jan 20 : The Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that entered Jammu and Kashmir in its last leg, resumed on Friday from Hatli Morh in Kathua district.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), amidst chill and inclement weather conditions, Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed after a delay of more than one hour in this border district of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per details available with KNO, the Yatra was scheduled to start at 7.00 am but was delayed by an hour and fifteen minutes apparently due to the winter rains.

Donning a jacket over his famous White T-Shirt due to chilled waves in the morning, Rahul started the yatra flanked by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

Rahul removed the jacket with some improvement in the weather after walking for over the first two hours from Hatli Morh towards Chadwal, a 21-km stretch along the Jammu-Pathankot highway which was virtually sealed as part of the stringent security arrangements.

Speaking to reporters, Raut said “I had come all the way to join yatra because Rahul Gandhi is a leader of masses and he is on the right path to raise voice against unemployment, inflation and other issues bothering people in the country.”

“Only Rahul Gandhi could challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 and end the BJP’s “dictatorial regime”, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut who joined the last leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu told reporters.

He added that an Opposition front without the Congress would be meaningless.

Several gallantry award winners, including Param Vir Chakra recipient Captain Bana Singh, too joined the Yatra and walked with Gandhi for more than 40 minutes.

“Whenever there is talk of protecting India and its ideals, the names of brave sons of the country like Bana Singh are taken. Captain Bana Singh, a Paramveer Chakra winner who hoisted the tricolor on the icy heights of Siachen, is an inspiration to me and every patriot,’ senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Several Congress leaders, including the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president Vikar Rasool Wani and his predecessor G A Mir, former MP Chief Minister Divijay Singh, Congress spokesperson Jai Ram Ramesh, firebrand student leader Kanhaiya Kumar accompanied Gandhi during the final leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The yatra covered 25 km and halted at Chadwal in the Kathua district for the night. There will be no march on Saturday.

The yatra will resume on Sunday from Hiranagar in Kathua and will reach Jammu on January 23. It will have another break on January 26 (Republic Day) before commencing in Kashmir valley.

The march, which started from Kanyakumari on September 7, entered Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab on Thursday evening and is scheduled to end in Srinagar on January 30. A tight security ring, composed of police and CRPF personnel, was thrown around Gandhi.

Entering Jammu and Kashmir in the last leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday invoked his connection with the land, saying his ancestors had moved from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh and he felt he was “returning home”.

He said he had come here to share the pain and agony of the people of J&K. “I know how much pain the people of Jammu and Kashmir have faced. I understand it… Everybody has got hurt, everybody has suffered,” he said while addressing a crowd that had gathered in huge numbers at the entry point to J&K from Pathankot-Punjab to receive him.

The march entered Kashmir on Thursday and will culminate with a rally in Srinagar on January 30—(KNO)