Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu, Jan 12 : Amid multi-layer security cover, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Rajouri tomorrow (Friday) and meet the families of slain in the recent attacks at Dhangri area of the district. Shah will also chair a security review meet and likely announce measures to strengthen the Village Defence Committees of the district.

Reliable sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Shah will reach Dhangri village of Rajouri in the morning at around 11 am. “Security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth arrival of the Home Minister,” sources said, adding that “A high alert has been sounded on highways, Rajouri district and also in parts of Jammu. All security agencies have been put on high alert.”

“The Home Minister will meet members of all three families who have lost their family members in January 1 attack in Dhangri,” a source privy to Home Minister’s itinerary, said. Sources said that the Home Minister may hand over job letters to next of kin of slain Dhangri attack victims. BJP General Secretary (Org) Ashok Koul confirmed that the Home Minister is visiting Rajouri tomorrow. “He will fly back to Delhi after chairing a security meet in Jammu,” Koul said.

The Home Minister after meeting the family members of the slain will chair a high level security meeting in Jammu where top officials of police, army, CRPF, BSF and other security agencies will participate. Sources in the security establishment said that the Home Minister will get the feedback from the security officials on the recent attack on the civilians in Dhangri village and the progress achieved so far in the investigations of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the police top brass.

Sources said that Home Minister may likely announce some security measures that include further strengthening of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in Rajouri district as demanded by the locals there in the wake of January 1 attack in which seven civilians including two minors lost their lives. The locals of Dhangri, Rajouri in their memorandum submitted to LG Manoj Sinha had demanded strengthening of VDCs on the lines of Doda district and covering the entire district under strict CCTV surveillance. The locals had also demanded patrolling of Army on vital roads and protection of temples in the district—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 11 : Sopore Police on Wednesday arrested a drug peddler along with heroin-like substance during a Naka at Wagub crossing in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a drug peddler was arrested along with 15 grams of Heroin-like substance during a checkpoint at Wagub crossing by the party of PP Putkha under the jurisdiction of Police Station Amargrah/Tarzoo.

The arrested drug peddler as per the officials disclosed his identity as Ashiq Elaahi Parray, son of Abdul Razaq Parray of Lawaypora Zainkote in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, a case under FIR number 03/2023 under section 8/21, 29 of NDPS Act has been lodged at Police Station Amargrah and further investigation has been taken up—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Jan 11 : The Department of Wildlife Protection J&K has warned of strict action as per law involving imprisonment as well as a fine against anyone involved in capturing owls or any kind of hunting activity.

The notice in this regard came following the reports of several incidents of alleged capturing of owls from some parts of the valley over the past month.

After a few photographs of the owl species, especially the Barn Owl and Tawny Owl, being captured surfaced on social media, the wildlife department issued a notice warning that capturing, coursing, snaring, trapping, driving or baiting of any wild animal, including wild birds, comes under the definition of “hunting” which is a punishable wildlife offence under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

“A person committing such an offence “shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to 20,000 rupees or both”, the department warned.

Anyone coming across a wild bird which has been accidentally injured or seems to be in distress should not attempt to handle or rescue the bird on his/her own but immediately contact the wildlife department on the phone number 9796171787 or through email rwlwkashmir@gmail.com, the notice reads.

Why do people catch owls?

Dr Bilal Nasir Zargar, a wildlife biologist, while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said “There is a myth in Kashmir that keeping an owl’s nails wards off evil. People catch them and cut their nails off and they eventually die, due to which the population of owls has declined drastically.”

Owls play a very important role in controlling the rodent population. They are phenomenal in pest control and help maintain the food chain. Owls also get rid of diseased rodents and stop the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Dr Bilal said the warning by the wildlife protection department is not enough because there are some species of owls out there that are threatened at this point in time and they may not be able to survive for much longer due to hunting or their habitat being destroyed.

“As a result of this, they are struggling to be able to survive out there in the wild. It isn’t too late though to help these owl species to have a future. However, in order to happen, we need to acknowledge what the problems really are, then we can be a part of the solution and not the problem,” he said.

What can be done to save them?

The wildlife botanist said that critical conservation of habitat with prior research and social awareness by educating the public about an owl’s role in the environment can save them. “Building social awareness against superstition will help implement stringent legal action against poaching and trading. There is no place for them to nest and breed due to rapid urbanisation. Their habitat must be protected, and their nesting places saved. We need to study them to learn such details,” he suggests.

Dr Bilal Nasir, who holds a doctorate degree in Botany, was the first to record a long-eared owl in 2019 at Manasbal. He has been observing the behaviour of owls for the last five years and is one of the most famous and passionate nature photographers in Kashmir.

“I enjoy taking photos of birds and animals in jungles and forests. I have travelled extensively to many national and international sanctuaries,” he told KNO.

Dr Bilal has educated and inspired thousands of people towards the conservation of nature and has received many awards.

Another expert while talking to KNO said it is a myth that owls can rotate their heads 360 degrees. “They can actually turn their necks 135 degrees in either direction which gives them 270 degrees of the total movement,” he said, adding, “Not all species of owls are nocturnal. Many times you might just spot an owl in the day peeping out from its home on the tree. When there is a shortage of food, owls may hunt at any time during the day. They are carnivorous and eat rodents, small and medium-sized mammals, insects, fish, and other birds. Sometimes they even eat smaller owls.”

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Wildlife Department Ifshana said owls are a kind of scheduled species and capturing these birds breaches the Wildlife Protection Act. “The recent reports suggest that only two owl-capturing incidents took place following which an advisory was issued for their protection,” she told KNO, adding, “Capturing owls is a severe crime. Anybody involved in it will be held under the relevant sections of law and a case will also be filed against such a person.”—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 11 : Residents have urged authorities to reconstruct a retaining wall damaged 4 years ago at Qazi Hamam in Baramulla’s old town.

Residents told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the wall was constructed for the safety of people alongside Bagh e Islam road in old town Baramulla which connects Drangbal and other areas to avert any mishap due to landslides or shooting stones.

The area is prone to landslides and shooting stones. But the wall was damaged some 4 years ago and the authorities concerned have been failing to reconstruct it.

“Knowing the sensitivity of the area very well, the officials in the department cite excuses including tendering issue,” said Ali Mohammed of Qazi Hamam.

A board installed at the site by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department reads, ‘the area is prone to shooting stones & rock sliding. The inhabitants & people passing this road are advised to take self-protection accordingly’.

Meanwhile, an official of the R & B department in Baramulla denied they have received any representation from locals in this regard. But he assured them they will look into the issue—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 11 : Several higher reaches of Kashmir including the famous ski-resort, Gulmarg experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday while the plains including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, received light rainfall, bringing down the temperature further across Kashmir. The weatherman, however, predicted more snow and rains in Kashmir till Friday.

Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that snowfall has occurred at multiple places including Gurez, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Machil, Karnah, Tangdhar and other places of Kashmir today.

The plains of Kashmir including Srinagar have received light rainfall today, leading to the plummeting of the maximum temperature further in the Valley.

Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus told KNO that there will be a gradual increase in intensity and distribution of snow or rain as the day progresses with main activity towards evening and night.

“Some places, mainly higher reaches may receive heavy snowfall,” he said, adding that on Thursday, there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate snow and rain in plains of Jammu.

He further added that light snowfall or rains would occur at a few places on Friday.

Moreover, Lotus as per the forecast said that the weather would remain mainly dry from January 14-17.

Pertinently, a fresh Western Disturbance has affected Jammu and Kashmir from today, which would result in light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches and light snowfall in plains as well.

Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall has led to the closure of Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, Mughal Road, Karnah-Kupwara and Bandipora-Gurez roads.

Officials said that the roads have been closed as precautionary measures after the fresh snowfall led to the slippery conditions of the roads.

However, Srinagar-Jammu highway remained open for vehicular movement.

Moreover, Police established Emergency Helpdesk Control Rooms for the general public in order to facilitate them in case of any untoward incident or distress. For any emergency or exigency, general public can also dial 112.

For Bandipora district, the helpline numbers are; PCR Bandipora 01957225278, 9596767430, ASP Bandipora 9596767453, DYSP HQRS Bandipora 9596767440, SDPO Gurez 7006795292, SHO PS Gurez 7006250037, SHO PS Tulail 7780922131, DO Police Post Izmarg 9419991882, SHO PS Bandipora 9596767411, SHO PS Pethkote 9596767415, SHO PS Aragam 9596767421, DO Police Post Aloosa 9596767416, DO Police Post Sumlar 9596767413, DO Police Post Ajas 9596767452, SHO PS Hajin 9596767431 & SHO PS Sumbal 9596767441.

For district Budgam, the helpline numbers include PCR Budgam 01951-255207, 01951-255042, 8082567612, SHO Budgam 9419000538, SHO Magam 9906449794, SHO Khansahib 9596000212, SHO Chadoora 7006411196, SHO Charar-e-Sharief 9797279660, SHO Khag 9419905840, SHO Breewah 7006252476, DO Humhama 6005599737, DO Soibugh 9906000474, DO Narbal 9797626526, DO Waterihail 9419007052, DO Pakerpora 9797985415, Out-Post Hardipanzo 9596203940, DO Mouchwa 9797290222.

For district Kulgam, the helpline numbers include Police Control Kulgam (PCR) 01931260486, 7889786112, ASP Kulgam 9906605555, DySP Hqrs Kulgam 7051510654, SDPO DH Pora 7051510676, SHO PS Kulgam 7051510661, SHO PS Yaripora 7051510662, SHO PS DH Pora 7051510663, SHO PS Devsar 7051510664, SHO PS Qazigund 7051510665, SHO PS Qaimoh 7051510667, SHO PS Manzgam 7051510671, SHO PS Behibagh 7051510669, SHO PS Kund 7051510670, IC PP Frisal 7051510668, IC PP JT 7051510680, IC PP Mirbazar 7051510679.

PCR Srinagar 0194-2477567, 9596222550, 9596222551, PCR Ganderbal 01942416564, 01942416478, 9906668731, PCR Awantipora 01933247369, 7051404001, PCR Shopian 9596768831, 01933-261891, 9596768831, PCR Anantnag 01932-222870, 01932-222100, 9596777669, PCR Handwara 01955262295, 9906767076, PCR Sopore 01954-222312, 01954-225333, 9596773024, PCR Baramulla 01952234410, 01952237830, 9596767768, PCR Kupwara 01955-252451, 9596152621, 7051404938, PCR Pulwama 01933-241280, 01933-241986, 8491942867, 9070123536 and PCR Kashmir: 0194-2506506, 0194-2506507.

Police also appealed to people to avail any kind of assistance by dialing 112—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 10 : Students of government degree colleges boys and women in Baramulla district on Wednesday held a protest over what they called an “unfair” evaluation of examination papers by Kashmir University.

As per reports of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the students held a protest demonstration near GDC women in Baramulla, amid sloganeering against the Kashmir University authorities.

The students of 6th semester alleged unfair evaluation of examination papers by the authorities.

“Kashmir University is playing with our careers and it is not for the first time that university has done this. It has become a routine for KU to create trouble for students and play with our careers,” a student said.

The student said how it is possible that their papers would be evaluated within four days and it seems they have just done it as a mere formality. “How is it possible to have zero in any subject?”, she asked, saying most students have got either zero or one mark in chemistry.

The protesting students appealed to the KU authorities to look into the matter and save their careers—(KNO)