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Hajin, Feb 09 : A 24-year-old pregnant woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her residence in Mukhdamyari village of Hajin in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman identified as Ulfat Bano wife of Mohammad Ashraf of Mukhdamyari was found lying unconscious at het home.

He said soon after she was taken to Community Health Centre Hajin where she was declared dead on her arrival.

“The cause of death will be ascertained after postmortem,” he said.

Meanwhile, police have started inquest proceedings into the matter—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : At least six districts of Jammu and Kashmir including the summer capital of the Union Territory, Srinagar have recorded deficient rainfall since January 01-February 08, 2023, a data compiled by Meteorological department reveals on Wednesday.

The data, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals that J&K in general has recorded normal rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 125.5 mm, it recorded 143.5 mm, which is 14 per cent above normal.

However, six of the districts including Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kathua, Jammu and Shopian have recorded deficient rainfall with official data stating that Srinagar has recorded 91.3 mm rainfall against 113.5 mm normal rainfall, indicating 20 per cent deficient rainfall since January 01 this year to February 08.

Against 88.6 mm normal rainfall, Budgam in central Kashmir has recorded 53.7 mm rainfall during the same period and also against 95.3 mm, Bandipora has recorded only 54.8mm rainfall, which is 39 and 43 per cent deficient rainfall respectively in the two districts.

The data further reads that Shopian has recorded 38 per cent deficient rainfall till today, adding that against normal rainfall of 60.9 mm, the district has recorded only 37.8 mm rainfall till today.

Jammu and Kathua districts have also recorded 41 and 38 per cent deficient rainfall respectively, the data added.

Moreover, the data reads that seven J&K districts including Anantnag, Doda, Kulgam, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri and Ramban have recorded excess rainfall since January 01 till today.

It added that six J&K districts including Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Samba, Kupwara, Reasi and Udhampur have recorded normal rainfall during the same period.

Meanwhile, the weatherman here has predicted light snowfall in J&K.

Director Meteorological department, Sonum Lotus said that there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate snowfall and rain in J&K with chances of heavy snowfall over higher reaches from tomorrow afternoon till 10th February.

The night temperature plummeted once again at a few places while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded a low of minus 7.6 degree Celsius.

Srinagar also recorded minus 0.1 degree Celsius while Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.5 degree Celsius—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : Authorities on Wednesday foiled the protest led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Jammu & Kashmir by detaining her along with several party leaders in New Delhi. However, the party leaders in Srinagar also carried out a protest march here to press for her immediate release.

Scores of PDP leaders led by the party chief carried out a protest rally in New Delhi against the ongoing anti-encroachment drive. However, Mehbooba Mufti was immediately detained soon after she tried to hold a sit-in. The former chief minister was later released.

Meanwhile, scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) functionaries and leaders staged a protest outside the party headquarters here.

Raising slogans against Delhi Police, and shouting slogans like “Our Land, your orders won’t work”, the protesters said, “Today our party president Mehbooba Mufti had planned a protest in Delhi, neither are we allowed here nor in Delhi to register our protest, is BJP running dictatorship here”.

Party Spokesperson Najmu Saqib told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that after the detention of their party president in New Delhi, they wanted to hold a protest in Srinagar’s Press Colony to seek the immediate release of Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders accompanying her, but they were not allowed to proceed.

The protesters also said that the party will continue to protest till the order regarding anti-encroachment is revoked by the government—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Wednesday said that year 2022 saw the highest number of anti-militancy operations in J&K in which 187 militants were killed while civilian and security forces killings were at all-time low.

Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha, the MHA said that 111 counter militancy operations were launched in 2022, which is highest since 2018 that recorded 100 such operations.

“In 2018, 228 militancy related incidents were recorded, 153 in 2019, 1126 in 2020, 129 in 2021 and 125 in 2022,” the MHA reply states as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). It further states that the year 2018 saw 189 encounters. “In 2019, 102 encounters were reported, 118 in 2020, 100 in 2021 and 117 in 2022,” the reply reads.

It further reads that 39 civilians were killed in 2018, 39 again in 2019, 37 in 2020, 41 in 2021 and 30 in 2022. “91 security forces personnel were killed in action in 2018, 80 in 2019, 62 in 2020, 42 in 2021 and 31 in 2022, (which is lowest since 2018),” the reply adds.

It states that year 2018 saw 100 counter militancy operations while as in year 2019, 74 such operations were launched. “Year 2020 recorded 100 such operations, year 2021, 95 and year 2021 and 111 in 2021 (highest since 2018,” it reads.

The reply also states that in year 2018, 17 militants were arrested, 20 in 2019, 21 in 2020, 17 in 2021 and 24 in 2022.

“In 2018, the highest number of militants were killed at 257, 157 were killed in 2019,221 in 2020, 180 in 2021 and 187 in 2022,” the reply reads.

In reply to another query, the MHA stated that no new Village Defence Groups (VDGs) were created while the existing ones are continuing. “At present, sanctioned strength of VDGs is 4985 of which 4153 have been constituted,” the reply reads—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 08 : The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday arrested an official of Tourism Development Corporation and a lecturer of Polytechnic College in a bribery case in Jammu.

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) CBI arrested today arrested a Chief Accounts Officer (KAS), Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation and a Lecturer, Govt. Polytechnic College in a bribery of Rs. 2.3 lakh.

The statement reads a case was registered on complaint against the accused on the allegations that the Chief Accounts Officer demanded bribe of Rs. 2.3 lakh through the lecturer from the complainant for processing payment in respect of bills submitted by his firm.

“CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding & accepting bribe of Rs. 2.3 lakh from the Complainant. Searches are being conducted at the official and residential premises of the accused,” it reads.

It reads both the arrested, identified as Sajad Ahmed, Chief Accounts Officer and Shokat Ali, Lecturer, will be produced tomorrow before the Court of Special Judge CBI cases, Jammu—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : School Education Department has sought a list of Out of School Children with Special Needs recently identified in ‘Talaash’ survey for their enrollment in schools.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) said this in a communique to all Chief Education Officers with regard to issuance of disability certificates to Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in Schools.

DSEK informed CEOs that Deputy Director Health Services Kashmir has communicated to all Chief Medical Officers of Kashmir to conduct medical camps for issuance of Disability Certificates at Schools by organizing medical camps at block and cluster level for maximum coverage.

The department has also called for sensitizing Children with Special Needs (CwSN) about the provisions and other entitlements provided in Schools to ensure the enrollment of all the children with special needs.

“In this regard Directorate of Health Services has requested all Chief Education Officers to provide them the list of Schools where CwSN are enrolled to the concerned Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of their District,” DSEK said.

It also said, “CEOs may also be provided the list of Out of School Children with Special Needs recently identified in Talaash survey for their enrolment in schools.”

DSEK further said that the information must include the name of planner, School Head mentioned in Talaash survey of the school in the proximity of the residence of these Out of School Children with Special Needs.

“All CEOs are requested to provide the concerned CMO the requisite information as mentioned under rules,” it reads—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 07 : Municipal Council Sopore on Tuesday warned street vendors for using megaphones/loudspeakers within the municipal limits and ordered them to carry registration certificates.

The blaring megaphones cause inconvenience to senior citizens and students who attend classes or study, said residents. “The usage of loudspeakers for business purposes by the mobile vendors has added to the increased noise pollution,” they added.

An official at the municipal council Sopore told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that strict action would be taken against those vendors found using the megaphones/loudspeakers for selling fruits/vegetables and other items within their municipality limits.

“The carts would be seized on spot”, the official said.

He directed registered vendors to carry the municipal registration certificates failing which a legal action would be taken.

“Many have made complaints to the council by social media or phone, following which the senior officials directed their subordinates to take action,” said an employee at the council—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : Authorities on Tuesday deployed seven government teachers as ‘Duty Magistrate’ in order to maintain law and order during the shooting of the movie ’Fighter’ at Pahalgam.

According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sub Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam has said, “In order to maintain law and order during the shooting of the film ‘Fighter’ at Pahalgam, seven officials are deployed as duty magistrates at different locations with effect from February-07 to February-11.”

“The duty magistrates shall closely monitor the situation at the respective locations in coordination with their respective police counterparts and submit hourly reports to Tehsildar Pahalgam, who shall keep overall magisterial supervision of the situation during the shooting of the film,” it reads.

Pertinently, Fighter is an upcoming Hindi movie scheduled to be released on 25 Jan, 2024.

The movie is directed by Siddharth Anand and will feature Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor as lead characters. Cast and Crew. Siddharth AnandDirector, Producer. Hrithik RoshanActor—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 07 : In a significant move, Jammu & Kashmir’s different departments have set up committees to identify provisions in the laws which need to be removed or decriminalized.

Details available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that several departments have set up committees in the past three months to identify the provisions in the laws and Rules which need to be removed or decriminalized. The departments have been directed to make recommendations regarding the laws/Rules administered by them.

According to an order issued on January 30, 2023, the Department of Social Welfare has set-up a panel under the chairmanship of its special secretary to identify provisions in the Acts and Rules which need to be deleted.

As per the order, the heads of the departments/representatives shall within a period of one week identify the provisions that require to be removed/retained or decriminalized in the various Acts/Rules relating to the Department based on their feedback from the field, which shall be placed before the committee for scrutiny and examination.

“The committee shall accordingly make appropriate recommendations to the Department for the retention/ removal/ decriminalization of such provisions,” the order states.

On December 8, 2022, the Home department also set up a committee under the chairmanship of additional secretary (SR) for identifying provisions in the laws which were to be removed and decriminalized.

The seven- member committee constituted by the Home Department also comprised representatives of Director General of Police and Director General of Police,Prisons, J&K.

Before this, on November 25, the Roads & Buildings Department appointed Prakash Chander Tanoch, Development Commissioner Works to look into the matter and suggest changes, if any, regarding existing Acts/ Rules.

It is worthwhile to mention that the Government of India had also undertaken decriminalization of minor technical and procedural offences under existing Acts/Rules to reduce the fear of imprisonment among businesses/citizens—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 06: Jammu and Kashmir is generating over 51,000 tonnes of plastic waste with Kashmir producing 31,000 and Jammu over 20,000 tonnes in a year.

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic amorphous solid materials derived from oil and natural gas.

A senior Scientist from J&K Pollution Control Board told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that 51,710.60 tons of plastic waste is being generated in J&K per year.

He said that Kashmir generates 31,375.60 tons plastic waste per annum while Jammu division generates 20,335 tons plastic waste per annum.

He said that due to lack of proper collection and management, the ‘throw away culture’ of plastic results in bags finding their way in the city drainage system and thus choking the drains.

He said that littering of land by plastic bags presents an ugly and unhygienic scene. The littering also reduces the rate of rain water percolation resulting in lowering water table levels, and plastics go into the water bodies which are already polluted due to many sources, he added.

“Fish and other aquatic animals mistake plastic as food items, plastics become a nuisance because of their non-biodegradability. Animals chew carry bags sometimes die, soil fertility deteriorates as plastic bags form part of manure and remain in soil for years. Polythene bags if burnt release highly toxic gases like phosgene, carbon monoxide, chlorine, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide beside deadly toxins and require a large area for disposal and there are further waste disposal impacts related to landfills and incineration.”

He said that during the manufacturing process of polythene carry bags various harmful components and chemicals like colourants, pigments, plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers and heavy metals are used.

Colours used during the process are mostly non-food grade and leach out with other chemicals or components thus contaminating food and other items carried in these bags. “These chemicals can cause diseases like cancer, degeneration of brain tissues, heart enlargement etc,” he said.

“Most of us take metals with ready-to-eat food items, if carried in the coloured polythene carry bags like lead through black polythene carry bags, chromium through red polythene carry bags, copper through blue polyethene carry bags and salt of barium through green polythene carry bags,” he said.

He said that the government has been taking steps for management of non-biodegradable material and has already banned use of polythene in J&K while public cooperation is of utmost importance.

He said that there are 254 plastic manufacturing/recycling units registered in J&K including 146 in Jammu and 108 in Kashmir.

He said that 20.17 MT of illegal polythene and 01.35 MT of SUP were seized during 2020-21 and a fine of Rs 4,83,300 was recovered from defaulters in the same period—(KNO)