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Srinagar, Feb 03 : Around 6.5 percent women in Srinagar started experiencing domestic violence during Covid-19 lockdown, a new study has revealed.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the study conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar has revealed that the effects of preventing a COVID-19 health crisis have had unintended consequences on domestic abuse (DA) victimization, Social distancing measures inherently change micro level human interactions, as they force people to spend more time at home.

The online study using Google forms was conducted by Sabira Aalia Dkhar, Ruqia Quansar, and S.M. Salim Khan of the Department of Community Medicine and the study was published in the International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR).

The members of the survey said that there is need to implement strict laws and policies to counter this and help the victim rather than criminalizing the victim and to reduce the frequency of the issue, it is central to acknowledge the extent of gender-based violence, create awareness and upkeep networks to make it easier for the victims to access them.

The study was done to assess the increase in domestic violence experienced by women especially during Covid-19. A total of 92 women participated in the survey, they said.

About 63.1% participants belonged to the age group of 30 years, 33.7% belonged to the age group of 31-40 years and only 3.2% belonged to the age group of >40 years and the importance of age in experiencing domestic violence is decreasing as in recent times; the prevalence of domestic violence has been seen across all age groups – children, adolescents and even elderly, they said.

The reason can be attributed to the fact that the perpetuator vents the anger on anyone and without any hesitation as any age group is vulnerable especially when confided at home during lockdown, said a doctor part of the study.

Approximately 65.2% participants were postgraduates. 17.4% were graduates, 13.1% had studied till 12th standard and only 4.3% were those who had studied up to 10″ standard. The education level of a woman determines the extent of domestic violence one experiences as literate women are aware of their rights and may at times revolt back whereas the women who are illiterate or less educated don’t have this advantage, he said.

“Almost 91.3% women were housewives and only 8, 7% women were working. The women at home are at more risk of domestic violence as they are confined to their homes and the time of interaction with the abuser is more. The women who are not working have more stress at home during lockdown because there are restrictions for moving out and it causes more conflict and more chances of domestic violence,” he said.

“About 54:3% women were unmarried and 45.7% women were married. The women folk at home are at risk of violence irrespective of marital status. Some young girls are even abused as the family members are more in favour of a male child and thus risking them at the hands of their family members as they are cursed and at times beaten up. There are always chances of more gender-based violence which can be seen across the age spectrum. The women are considered a weaker gender and thus male gender tried to dominate and thus making women more prone to violence at the hands of their own family members or relatives. (7) Women are vulnerable irrespective of their class. Socio-economic status and age. Approximately 17.4% women reported to have experienced domestic violence at any point of their lifetime and 82.6% women nullified the reports of experiencing it. Women are abused since history as they are always considered a weaker gender with no voice of their own. The abuser usually abuses as they try to vent their frustration on their women at home,” he added.

“About 10.9% women reported to have experienced domestic violence every time and 6.5% women reported to have experienced violence especially during Covid-19 times,” he said.

“The Covid 19 times have led to lockdowns and restrictions all across the globe. The lockdowns have placed more chances of staying at the home of the abuser and thus increasing the interaction, conflicts and this more abuse. Lockdowns have led to clustering of family members in homes, more work load and more stress on the women folk of the families. The lockdowns have led to economic instability, economic insecurities and loss of jobs which have led to frustration and anger issues and thus more abuse. The loss of income also has led to more stress and thus conflicts and more abuse,” he said.

“About 17.4% of women (all of those who experienced violence) confided to their family or friends about their condition on the pretext of feeling better and thus relieving them of their pain. Many women resorted to talking about it to take validation that they are not at any fault of getting beaten up or to take validation that this is normal. The women usually think that they experience violence because they are at fault or they are supposed to be silent and they are weak and don’t have to raise a voice. Almost 6.5% women who experienced violence looked for help to save themselves from this abuse and exactly 6.5% of women even received help, especially from their family or close friends. 10.9% women never asked for help as they consider that this is their fate and this is normal. The society will blame their women for their abuse and thus the image will be ruined. These women usually propagate male supremacy in families and thus indirectly increase the opportunities for the abusers to feel superior or right,” he said. “Almost 17.4% of women reported that they are worried about their future and they may have to continue to face the abuse.”

He said: “When asked about various reasons for not leaving their abusers or moving to a safer place, children at home was the common reason. Women usually have self-blame, confusion, hopelessness, guilt and shame on being abused and still they want to be with their abuser to save the child from being deprived of the family love and care Women usually consider themselves to be weak and always at fault for being abused. Society also has made an illusion of male supremacy leading to propagation of false sense of dependence on men. If a woman leaves the abuser, society norms will always find faults with the women only rather than supporting them.”

He said that the domestic violence at any level and in any form can’t be justified and Covid-19 pandemic has led to another hidden pandemic—domestic violence—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Feb 03 : The families and locals of Karnah and Tanghdar villages of Kupwara in this north Kashmir’s frontier district have hailed the district administration, police, army and beacon officials for ensuring the safe passage of the bodies of two elderly persons from their areas that were kept in the District Hospital Kupwara for the last few days.

The bodies of two elderly persons – Haji Qalandar Mir (65), son of Abdul Gaffar Mir, resident of Dildar Karnah and Alamdin Khattana (60), son of Abdulla Khattana, resident of Dragad Tangdhar – were kept in the mortuary of the District Hospital Handwara for the last few days due to road blockade. The families had sought assistance from the district administration to ferry back the bodies to their respective native places for last rites.

Braving the chilling weather conditions, the administration facilitated the smooth passage of the mortal remains to the respective areas by escorting the men and machinery on the snow-covered Kupwara-Karnah road.

The administration termed the overall process a challenging one, saying it was not easy to facilitate the passage of mortal remains amid more than 4 feet of snowfall to the higher reaches of Kupwara.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the bodies of two persons were dispatched during afternoon hours towards their native places, after remaining at district hospital Handwara’s mortuary as the roads were blocked after the recent snowfall. The bodies reached at around Thursday 11 pm.

He said the bodies were escorted by the teams of the district administration including the sub-divisional magistrates of Tanghdar and Karnah, police, army and beacon, besides other volunteers who ensured safe passage.

“The whole operation was full of challenges as there was a heavy downpour of about 4-5 ft snowfall,” SDM Karnah told KNO. “Since this was the season’s heavy snowfall and there remains an avalanche threat, that’s why it took days for them to facilitate bodies to their respective places.”—(KNO)

Jammu, Feb 03 : After mass migration from Uttrakhand’s Joshimath due to its feared sinking, similar tragedy almost struck the banks of Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab River, where 21 residential structures developed cracks in Thathri tehsil of Doda since December last year. The sudden cracks in residential houses set the alarm bells ringing across the district triggering panic among the inhabitants.

“As many as 21 structures have developed cracks due to ‘sinking’ of land in Thathri Tehsil of Doda-Kishtwar belt since December 2022. The mountainous region identified as potential hub for generation of hydro- electricity for the country and several projects and other construction activities in geological sensitive zones are going on,” an official said told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Officials said that administration is yet to know the cause of land erosion while the families have been shifted to safer locations.

They also said that a team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been rushed to the spot.

District Magistrate Doda, Vishesh Mahajan confirmed that cracks appeared in some structures and people have been evacuated to safer locations.

“Yes, cracks have appeared in some structures,” Visheshpal Mahajan, District Magistrate Doda, told KNO.

He said, “We have shifted families to the temporarily established relief camps and the GSI team is also pressed in service to ascertain the cause of the sinking of land.”

Director, Geology and Mining, J&K, O P Bhagat said district administration has approached them following which a team is being constituted to visit the spot.

Meanwhile, Member, District Development Council (DDC), territorial constituency Thathri, Sandeep Manhas, “I have visited the spot and found cracks have appeared in nearly 19 houses, mosque and madarssa.”

“The land is sinking but confirmed reasons are not yet known,” said Manhas. “The residents are in panic and have vacated their house. The administration has been already informed and they are looking into the matter.”

According to officials, the cracks appeared in December last in a house and gradually aggravated.

Earlier, mass migrations was reported from Uttrakhand’s Joshimath town which sank by about 9 cm between April and November 2022 and from December 27, 2022, to January 8, 2023, it further sank, by about 5.4 cm.

The experts blamed uncontrolled construction in eco-sensitive zones as the main reason for the destruction—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 2 : Election Commission of India has appointed Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, as Chief Electoral Officer J&K.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub- section (1) of section 13A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950), the Election Commission of India in consultation with the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hereby designates Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS (AGMUT:2004) as the Chief Electoral Officer for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with effect from the date he takes over charge and until further orders in place of Hirdesh Kumar, IAS,” reads an order by ECI, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“Pandurang Kondbarao Pole shall cease to hold and hand over forthwith the charge of all or any charges of work under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, which he may be holding before such assumption of office.”

Pandurang Kondbarao Pole while functioning as the Chief Electoral

Officer, Jammu and Kashmir shall not hold any additional charge whatsoever under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir except that he should be designated Secretary to the Government in charge of Election Department in the State Secretariat, the order added. (GNS)

Srinagar, Feb 02: In a major relief to shopkeepers at Srinagar’s Aftab Market in Lal Chowk, the authorities on Thursday unsealed all 25 shops following the directions from higher authorities, day after they were sealed.

Shiraz Ahmad Mir, General Secretary of the local trade association, told KNO- Kashmir News Observer that they were called by the tehsildar on Thursday morning and were told that their shops would be unsealed.

“We are thankful to authorities for unsealing our shops. We are also thankful to the Lieutenant Governor who intervened in the matter,” Mir said. “Now we are heaving a sigh of relief as a few hours ago we were asked to evict our shops.”

Another shopkeeper, Altaf Ahmad, said after being called to the tehsildar’s office at the DC Office here they were informed that they can continue with their shops.

“It was a misconception between the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC) and the revenue department,” Altaf said, adding, “We have been time and again saying that we are the tenants of the SMC and paying rent.”

Without the interference of LG Manoj Sinha, the unsealing of shops would not have been possible, he said. “We are thankful to all those who supported us.”

Meanwhile, an official privy to the development told KNO that the decision was taken keeping in view the livelihood of the shopkeepers and the directions from the higher-ups.

“As of now, we got directions to unseal all 25 shops. I don’t have any further information about the issue,” the official said.

The district administration Srinagar on Wednesday evening sealed 25 shops in Aftab Market and said the land was illegally occupied.

The move was followed by shopkeepers staging a protest outside their sealed shops. They claimed they have been paying rent to the SMC for decades.

During the protest, the shopkeepers had said the move will render them and their families to starvation.(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 01 : Following the snowfall in Kashmir, the water logging in Sopore areas here have irked the local populace, who demanded immediate dewatering of the roads.

The commercial areas like Super Bazar, Downtown and College road are the worst hit as the pedestrians and vehicles were seen navigating through the waters.

Whenever it rains, a massive water logging due to the improper drainage system in the town always push the locals to the wall, the residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

They said that despite repeated pleas to the administration for making a proper mechanism, the authorities failed to take necessary measures in this regard, leaving the people to lurch at large.

“The roads and streets have turned into small ponds,” a local resident, Tahir Ahmed said.

“The issue of persistent water logging can only be solved with the construction of a proper drainage system here,” Bilal Ahmed, a local resident said.

The residents have appealed district administration as well as to the concerned department to dewater the roads so that the people could heave a sigh of relief—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 01 : Two skiers from Poland died while 21 others were rescued after a massive snow avalanche hit Afarwat peak at ski-resort in Gulmarg on Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure confirmed to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an avalanche struck near Afarwat Peak in the afternoon in which bodies of two foreign tourists were recovered.

But 21 others who were trapped were rescued.

The deceased were identified as Krzysltof, 43, and Adam Grzech, 45, both from Poland.

Nagpure said that the avalanche warning was already issued by the authorities and investigations are underway to see how tourists were allowed towards the site.

A police spokesperson said that 19 foreign nationals of Russia and Poland along with two local guides were rescued by the Police along with the tourism department after they got trapped when a massive avalanche hit Hapatkhud Kongdori in Gulmarg.

On receiving the information, police said they mobilised joint rescue teams of police, Army and tourism department for rescue operation using all available equipment.

It said 19 foreign nationals and two local guides were safely rescued including Ekaterina, Maxim, Vladimir, Vasiliy, Engine, Leo, Nikita Mastryukov, Anna Chornyak, residents of Russia and Rafat Kaqmaren, Narcin Wieklux, Eukasz Potaczewck, Tukasz Pasek, Katarzyna Filip, Marcin Raczyk, Barteomie Szkop, Bartosz Domagata, Adrian Anirowsu, Macie Kowalczyk of Poland, a foreign guide Bartos from Poland and local guides namely Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Mir from Tangmarg.

Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinah in a tweet said: “Saddened by the loss of lives due to an avalanche in Gulmarg. My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. DC and Divisional Commissioner Office is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 01 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that the encroachment drive launched by the government is another UAPA for the people in Jammu & Kashmir, terming the step a part of corruption practice as under the influence of this drive, the government wants money from rich and vote from the poor.

Addressing a news conference here, the former chief minister said that the drive to retrieve the land is being used as a weapon against the people of J&K to uproot them, suppress and harass them and also make them homeless. “It is another UAPA for the people, otherwise China has encroached our 20000 sq km land, if the government is serious then let the encroached land be retrieved from China first,” she said.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), she said that there are some people who possess the land since Maharajas rule and their land properties are also being demolished, adding that first the government created rift between the religious communities and now it is making attempts to create a rift between poor and rich class through this drive.

However, she said that such measures cannot be stopped until and unless the people from J&K and Ladakh are not united. “The people here in Kashmir are not being allowed to hit the streets. The people were even trying to participate in Bharat Jodo Yatra in large number, but they were not allowed. The government has created a situation where the people are not being allowed to come out. The people of Ladakh have united, but until and unless Jammu’s Dogra and Kashmiri people don’t get united, these measures cannot be stopped,” she said.

“Jammu people reacted yesterday, but people in Kashmir can’t do so as there is NIA, ED and other agencies behind Kashmir. How would it be possible that the people will come out to react over the issue,” she said, adding that these drives are part of a massive corruption here as they want to get money from the rich and vote from the poor. “The poor are being asked to vote against their land and the rich are being asked to meet some officials in this regard,” she said.

Mehbooba also said that if the government is serious in retrieving the land; let it start from Governor House, B B Cant here.

Asked about the budget presented today in parliament, Mehbooba said that there was nothing new in today’s budget as the financial plan by the incumbent government is being made for the benefits of some capitals and businessmen. “The taxes being collected should have been used for the welfare of people, but the budget is being made for some businessmen only. The situation is such that the poor are getting poorer, the free ration quantity has been reduced to four kilograms,” she added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Feb 01 : The first month of this year has witnessed 12 NDPS cases with arrest of 16 drug peddlers and seizure of cash and banned drugs in Baramulla in north Kashmir, an official said.

A senior police official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that at least 10 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) have been filed in January this year in Baramulla alone.

He said that 13 drug suppliers/peddlers were arrested and a haul of narcotics approximately worth 20.25 lakhs were recovered in the district.

Sharing police station wise details, the official said that five cases under NDPS were filed in Pattan police station, two each in Uri and Sheeri police stations and one in Kreeri.

It said that 117 grams of Heroin, 25 grams of Brown Sugar, 664 grams of cannabis, 3 kg poppy straw and 23 kg and 700 grams of cannabis powder were seized.

Three drug peddlers were arrested along with contraband substances in 2 NDPS cases at Police station Tarzoo in Sopore.

The official asked senior citizens to play their role for a healthy society saying without public support and cooperation, the fight against drug menace is impossible.

“Our aim is to make Baramulla a drug-free district. We need your support. Reach out to us and share inputs on drug peddlers. Your identity will be kept confidential,” the official added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Feb 01 : The authorities in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday sealed at least 25 shops for non-payment of rent.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that, at least 25 shops were sealed over non-payment of rent towards Municplal Council for the last several years.

He said that the shops are situated near Iqbal Park.

“They were already informed through notices from time to time, however, they failed to pay the rent, which led to sealing of these shops,” he said—(KNO)