Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Jan 07 : Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch Achabal in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has prohibited the entry of people with Pherans citing security reasons, even as branch head denied issuing any such order.

In a circular, which has gone viral on social media platforms, the bank branch has asked people with pherans not to enter the bank premises.

“Persons with Pheran are not allowed to enter inside the office/hall. For security reasons,” it reads.

Meanwhile, talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), branch head Anayat Ahmad said there was no such order from the bank unit.

“The poster that has gone viral seems to have been pasted by some miscreants and it has nothing to do with the bank circular,” he said.

He added for security reasons there is already a circular that no body is allowed to enter inside the hall—(KNO)

NAIDKHAI: Senior Leader and Incharge Sonawari Constituency Hilal Akbar Lone has expressed strong resentment over neglecting tehsil Ajas in recently restructuring of R&B Sub divisions by LG Administration on Saturday.

Hilal Akbar Lone said that “I feel pained when he saw there is no name of R&B Sub division for Ajas tehsil in recently restructuring of R&B Sub division by LG administration which is sheer injustice to this area”,.

He urged LG administration to reconsider the decision and approve R&B Sub division to Ajas as well which is there geniune and long pending demand.

He said that it will hit the developmental works if this area is being denied the status of R&V sub division .

He futher demanded that Ajas tehsil be given CD Block ,

Sub division Jal Shakti,Sub-Divison PDD ,ITI college and seperate Education Zone for Ajas.

Hilal ,however welcomed the move of giving R&B sub division status to Hajin which they are deserving since long.

It’s pertinent to mention that Government on Friday ordered restructuring of Public Works (R&B) Department by way of re-organisation of cadre and rationalization of jurisdiction of its subordinate and field offices by making them co-terminus with territorial limits of divisions, districts and blocks of the Jammu and Kashmir

Editor JK Revolution on Saturday expressed condolences over the demise of Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Father of Head Master Abdul Rehman Dar of Suzeith, Narbal Srinagar.

A statement of JK Revolution issued here quoted Editor, JK Revolution in a condolence message as saying that the deceased was a noble person known for his pious and hospitable nature.

Editor JK Revolution prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family.

“We pray that Almighty Allah grants peace to the deceased and courage to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss,” the Editor JK Revolution said.

Bereaved:- Head Master Abdul Rehman Dar of Suzeith Narbal, Budgam.

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 07 : A massive fire broke out in a residential house at Jalal Sahib area of Old Town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a massive fire broke out in a two-storey residential house at old Town Baramulla following which fire tenders rushed to the spot.

Efforts are on to house the flames and prevent the fire from spreading, as the area is congested, he said—(KNO)

More details awaited

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Jan 06 : Transporters of all three three districts of north Kashmir districts have deferred their 2-day strike call after authorities agreed to fulfill their demands.

Chairman All Kashmir Transporters Confederation Mohammad Shafi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that authorities have assured them of early redressal of their grievances.

He said following assurance they have decided to defer their strike call and they will decide future course of action accordingly.

He also expressed gratitude to the LG administration for fulfilling their demands in a timely manner.

Earlier, North Kashmir transporters had called for a 2-day strike over not being allowed to proceed beyond Parimpora stand—(KNO)

Bandipora, Jan 06 : Braving the sub-zero temperature, a south Indian film crew has started shooting for their film around the picturesque Wular lake, Asia’s second largest freshwater lake, located in the Bandipora district of Kashmir.

This will be the first movie to be shot in the lake after the new film policy was implemented in Kashmir.

The film which is being directed by Aditya Suhas is based in Kashmir whose principal photography will be done in Baramulla and some of the scenes will be shot here in Zurimanz, a village on the brim of Wular lake.

Aditya, while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “This lake is so beautiful. I am in awe of the beauty and calmness of this lake. I feel honored to shoot some parts of this movie here. I believe it is the first time that a south Indian film is being shot in Wular. I would really love to see more filmmakers explore this place.”

While thanking the locals, Aditya said, “The locals have been so helpful. It would have been a bit difficult for us to work in this freezing temperature but we were made comfortable by them. They have accommodated our small crew in their hearts, and are so enthusiastic about the shooting. It is so heartwarming to see their excitement.”

Locals of Zurimanz and Bangladesh are delighted by this new development in their area and are hopeful that it will put their otherwise discreet area in the spotlight.

“I am so thankful for this crew to come here. I expect that other filmmakers will follow suit and shoot their films here. This will provide our local unemployed youth with an opportunity to earn their livelihood,” Ashfaq Ahmad Bhat, a local resident said.

With the film being shot in the area, locals are also hopeful that this will help in pushing the development projects in the area.

“If this area is developed to its full potential, then it will automatically attract filmmakers and tourists. There should be better roads built connecting this area to the main town. I hope that the administration takes cognizance of this and help this lake get international fame,” Aashiq Bhat, another local said—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Jan 06 : The authorities on Friday decided to close the Zojilla Pass for vehicular movement from tomorrow.

Chief Engineer Border Roads Organization (BRO) Brig Saket Singh told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that for the first time, the Zojila Pass has remained open till January 06.

The Zojila Pass is a mountain pass located at an altitude of 11,649 feet in the NH1 region. It serves as a crucial connector between Leh and the Srinagar district and is maintained by the Border Road Organization. However, the pass can be difficult to keep open during the winter months due to slippery roads and heavy snowfall at low temperatures.

In recent years, there has been a need to keep the Zojila Pass open for longer periods of time. According to official records, the pass was open till December 13 in 2020; and last year, it was open till January 5. This year, it was open till January 6.

The Army yesterday said that its BRO ‘Karmyogis’, with their relentless effort under ‘Project Beacon’, facilitated connectivity to the Ladakh region by ensuring that the Zojila pass remained open despite heavy snowfall.

Today marks the final opening day for the Zojila Pass, as strong western disturbances are expected to bring heavy snowfall starting Saturday. This may be the last chance for travelers to use the pass until the weather improves.

However, he said that in view of the forecast of inclement weather, it shall be officially closed for vehicular movement from Saturday—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 06 : A day after School Education Department clarified that the Postgraduate degrees in science stream obtained via distance mode won’t be considered valid, IGNOU regional center Srinagar Friday defied it saying that all the Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates are duly recognized by UGC.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Regional Director Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar said, “All the programs offered by IGNOU including the MSCENV are duly recognized by UGC and in terms of the decision taken by UGC in its 550th meeting.”

Dar said, “The UGC has exempted IGNOU from applicability of UGC (Open and Distance Learning programs and Online Programs) Regulations, 2020 from academic session 2020-2021 and onwards.”

“Further, all the Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates awarded by IGNOU are recognized by all the member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are at par with the corresponding Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates issued by all Indian or Deemed Universities or Institutions,” he said.

The regional director further said that IGNOU offers two programs in Environmental studies viz Masters of Science in Environmental and Master of Arts in Environmental Studies.

“The Masters of Science program is having lab course of 4-credits in first three semesters and dissertation or project of 8-credit course in fourth semester as compulsory courses to complete the degree,” he said.

Dar said, “The news regarding questioning the validity of Degree obtained in Masters of Science from IGNOU by some newspapers is factually wrong, incorrect and misleading.”

A day before the School Education Department said that Post Graduate degrees obtained through distance mode in Science Stream would not be considered valid for seniority and promotion purposes—(KNO)