Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 24 : Amid the presence of black bear in north Kashmir areas, the Wildlife Protection department has issued an advisory, asking the orchardists to dump the leftover apple in a pit to avoid man – wild animal conflict.

Wildlife Warden North Division asked the orchardists to dump apple leftovers in pits to prevent black bear attraction for the safety of people.

“Black bear has an incredible sense of smell & use it to locate food. The scent of fruits attract black bear thus all the orchardists are hereby requested to dump the leftover apples in pits to prevent the attraction of black bear in their respective areas for the safety of people,” he tweeted—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 24 : The Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday carried out searches at various locations in three districts of the Valley in connection with online threat to journalists.

Srinagar police in a Tweet, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the raids were being conducted in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama districts.

It said searches were subsequent to the leads received from searches done few days ago in the same case.

“Searches are going on in multiple locations in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts in connection with ‘online journalists threat’ case. This is subsequent to the leads received from searches done few days ago in same case,” police tweeted—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 23 : Residents of Rehmatabad Adipura in the outskirts of Sopore town are up in arms against Jal Shakti department for failing to provide water supply to them.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they said that the authorities are pushing them to face immense hardships due to acute shortage of drinking water for years.

“We took to the streets a number of times to press for our demands in vain as the concerned failed to take any step in this regard,” the locals said.

They added they also approached the concerned authorities with their grievances.

The residents blamed the politicians by saying that they only come to the area during elections for the sake of votes but as soon as the election ends, they disappear. “They seek votes from us at the times of elections promising to provide basic amenities in the area but later on betray us,” said Abdul Ahad, a local resident.

“We are being forced to walk miles to fetch water. Authorities are ignoring us at all fronts. Despite repeated assurances and promises, the department has failed to provide adequate drinking water to the residents here,” said Firdous Ahmed, a local resident.

The department claimed they will lay a new pipeline which would provide water to the entire area but all the assurances turned hoaxes on the ground, they added.

“Where are the claims of the government ‘Har Ghar Nal Sy Jal’ ? The claims have fallen flat as we have been suffering due to the scarcity of drinking water supply for several years,” said Ateeka Begum.

She said they were getting water from tankers but the service has been stopped for the last many months.

AEE Jal Shakhti department, Sopore did not respond to the calls—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Nov 23 : The presence of black bears has panicked residents of Guloora village of Handwara with authorities finding it difficult to catch the wild animals.

People, particularly children and women, are reluctant to come out from their homes after word about the presence of black bears spread in the area, reports said.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) over phone, residents said that the presence of black bears from last at least six days have panicked them

“It’s very unfortunate that the department has completely failed to capture these animals,” said Sajad Ahmed.

He said that there is not a single day when the bears do not attack civilians here. “During night hours they try to enter residential houses by breaking windows panes and doors”, he said.

Five days ago on November 18, an elderly woman was severely injured after being attacked by a black bear in Guloora Langate village of Handwara. The said woman, as per the family sources, is in ‘Coma’ and being treated at Srinagar hospital since then.

Meanwhile, I/C wildlife officer Langate, Ghulam Mohi u Din told KNO that they rushed their teams immediately after receiving information about the presence of wild animals.

He said that they are trying their best to catch the animals and they don’t have any magic wand to catch wild animals—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 23 : In a first, Airway stenting procedure was done with the flexible video bronchoscope system at SKIMS, Soura by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Airway Stenting Procedure (Y-SEMS Tracheobronchial stent) was conducted by a team including Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. Parvaiz A Koul, Prof. Sonaullah Shah, Dr. Nazia Mehfooz, and Dr. Zubair Ahmad Thoker, supported by Anesthesia team headed by Dr. Altaf Hussain Mir and Dr. Irfan Hussain Dar of Anaesthesiology along with the team of technicians.

As per the statement, HOD General Medicine informed that this procedure was done on a 35-year-old male who was a case of operated CA oesophagus with nodal reoccurrence compressing his left main bronchus causing collapse of his left lung with hypoxemic Respiratory failure.

“In view of non-affordability and difficulty in transporting this patient outside of J&K due to severe respiratory failure for this procedure, the Pulmonary medicine team decided to conduct this procedure at SKIMS Soura. After arranging all the logistic support, the procedure was successfully performed. The patient is now planned for radio therapy,” he added.

He further said routinely this procedure is done by rigid bronchoscope system under general anaesthesia and previously patients were referred to outside for airway stenting.

The statement reads these types of palliative procedures are important in giving quality life to such patients and will be continued by the Department in future to avoid referral outside UT of J&K.

Director SKIMS, Dr. Parvaiz A Koul congratulated the Department for conducting the procedure and assured support on behalf of the administration for such endeavors in future—(KNO)

Anantnag, Nov 23 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Wednesday said that the number of active militants in South Kashmir is as less as it was never before while as the number of foreigners as well as locals across the UT has been confined to two digits only.

Addressing media men in Anantnag district of South Kashmir after reviewing the security situation in southern districts Kashmir along with the army officials, the DGP said that security situation across south Kashmir has largely improved and there was a significant dip in the crime related incidents as well.

“As far as the number of active militants in south Kashmir is concerned, it is as less as it was never before. There is no complaint of people from anywhere in south Kashmir about the conduct of forces,” DGP Singh said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). About the killing of non-locals and minority community members, he said that these acts are highly condemnable and barbaric in nature. “Those involved in the innocent killings were killed in various encounters,” he said.

The DGP said that society must collectively raise voice against these incidents. “There have been condemnation against these acts but there is a need for more condemnation as we can’t remain silent. If a non-local comes here to earn his livelihood, it is our responsibility to protect them and provide them a secure atmosphere,” he said.

The DGP said that the number foreigners as well as local militants across J&K has been brought to two digits. “This is for the first time that the number of total active militants has been brought to two digits,” he said and credited the synergy among the various security agencies for the success.

On local militant recruitment, he said that police and other security agencies were countering the false narrative while parents and religious preachers should also play their part.

DGP said that narcotics are a bigger crime than militancy. “We have seized huge quantity of narcotics over the years. We are booking the people involved in the narcotics trade and slapping them with PSA and other acts,” he said, adding that the property of people involved in narcotics is being seized.

He said society should collectively counter the false narrative launched by the neighbouring country including the Kashmir Fight blog that issues threats to the journalists and other people. “There is a frustration among the people sitting across as those who would issue hartal and provoke youth for stone pelting are nowhere and have been cleaned. The calls issued by the fake chapter of Hurriyat across the border are being ignored by the people of Kashmir,” he said—(KNO)

DDC Khonmoh and Member Hajj Committee of India Er Aijaz Hussain Nominated as Constituency Incharges for Lal Chowk of BJP

The J&K BJP on Tuesday announced DDC Khonmoh Er Aijaz Hussain in-charge for Lal Chowk assembly constituency in Kashmir.

Er Aijaz Hussain, the DDC Member From Srinagar and Member Hajj Committee of India has been Nominated In-charge for Lal Chowk Constituency by BJP High Command.

Srinagar, Nov 22 : Domestic violence is not only a social issue but a human rights and health issue as well with women being the main victims, said a government official.

Dr Mantasha Binti Rashid, JKAS officer with specialization in gender based violence and conflict told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), on the sidelines of the event organised by GMC Srinagar, that women alone are not victims of domestic violence but men too face domestic violence.

But disproportionately women are the main victims globally as they are not empowered to fight such things, she said.

“There are integrated models in the health department on the basis of which a person facing domestic violence is identified. Such persons are referred for medical treatment, counselling, legal services and other things,” she added.

“It is unfortunate women are still treated as animals and they are being deprived of the position which they deserve as humans. Women are still considered inferior and sub humans,” Mantsha added.

According to her, beating a woman is considered a normal thing and when such things are being normalised and internalised, then it becomes very difficult to overcome such things globally.

“Different organisations have been working on it but on individual basis, we must try to stop all such cultural practices and norms which lead to violence against women,” she added

There is shame, stigma and silence around domestic violence but now such things are being reported as it is era of social media, she said and added, “we can’t say whether such things are increasing but there is need of proper research to find it out.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime Kashmir Syed Sleet Shah said that it is our aim to remain connected with people and know about the new trends in cyber crimes in society.

“Don’t click on any unauthentic website and don’t provide any confidential or personal information to any website or scammer who wants data and other things,” she said.

Awareness is must and people need to be informed how to tackle such situations leading to cyber crimes and police is always available and can be approached anytime, Shah added.

“Report cyber crime at www.cybercrime.gov.in and one can call on toll free number 1903 or visit cyber crime police station Shergari Srinagar,” she added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Nov 22 : The administration on Tuesday renamed the Main Chowk Baramulla as “Bindaas Chowk” after a cop Mudasir Ahmad alias Bindaas, who was killed in an encounter in Kreeri area of the northern district on May 25 this year.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the foundation stone for the same was laid by Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbag Singh today.

He said Mudasir Ahmed alias Bindaas, who a constable in J&K police, was killed in an encounter in Najibhat area of Kreeri on May 25.

He added the Chowk was renamed after approval for the same was given by the government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mohammad Maqsood Sheikh, father of the slain cop said he was thankful to J&K police and was proud of his son who sacrificed his life.

“He made the nation proud by his supreme sacrifice. My son is not going to return back, but we are proud of him,” he said—(KNO)