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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)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Nov 22 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DPG) Dilbagh Singh Tuesday said that the number of local militants active in Kashmir has been reduced to two digit while a “miniscule number of foreigners were active who are being tracked down.”

“As far as the status of militancy is concerned, the number of active local militants has been brought to just two digit. Very less foreign militants are active as of now,” DGP Singh told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to north Kashmir’s Baramulla town, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “Anti-militancy operations are going on and very soon remaining militants will be eliminated as well.”

He said that at one point of time, north Kashmir was badly affected by the militancy and at present “this place is almost peaceful and there is less influence of militancy now.”

About Hybrid militancy, he said it has been a challenge as the handlers across the border had been luring the young boys, giving them weapons and targets. “We have largely succeeded in facing this challenge and this year so far, over 100 modules of Hybrid militants were busted across J&K,” the DGP said as per KNO.

To a query about Kashmir Fight blog, he said that some elements sitting across the LoC can’t digest the peace prevailing in Kashmir and hence continue to issue threats to police, media men and even public representatives. “It is the media that has to take the call. Media men don’t need to worry as we have already lodged a case against the blog and people running it. Strict action will be taken against those handling this blog,” the DGP said, adding that “we are keenly watching the activities taking place on this blog.”

He reviewed security situation in north Kashmir and need of upgrading infrastructure of police force—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 22 : In a major relief to the public, transporters in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district have resumed their services after six days and have deferred the strike call till Saturday after administration agreed to redress their demand.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that in view of the strike by the transporters, the earlier order has been revoked and a committee has been set up to identify proper mechanism for smooth functioning of transport in the town.

He added that transport services have been resumed and are now plying normally from the general bus stand Sopore.

Confirming the development, chairman All Kashmir Transport Confederation, Mohammad Shafi told KNO they have defered the strike till Saturday and have resumed transport services after administration agreed to their demand.

“We have been assured that our demand will be fulfilled within 4-5 days. So till Saturday this week we have unanimously decided to defer the strike call and resume services,” Shafi said.

Shafi, however, said if the administration failed to address or fulfill their promise within a stipulated period of time, they will launch a massive agitation.

Notably, transporters were on an indefinite strike since Tuesday last week, opposing the move of accommodating “illegal sumos” in general bus stand.

Earlier, on Monday, administration in a review meeting to streamline traffic in the town issued a formal order, to accommodate “illegal sumos” in the general bus stand Sopore—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 21 : A government school in Sopore is witnessing a grim situation as students are being forced to take their classes under open sky during the prevailing cold.

Established in 1962, students study under open sky at ‘Govt Middle School, Adipora’ as the school lacks basic infrastructure such as classrooms.

A teacher pleading anonymity at the school told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the school has four rooms–one for teachers and three for students. Also, the school has only three teachers.

The condition of the school is deplorable as the floors are damaged and windows and tables are broken.

“Earlier, we had around 121 students enrolled in the school, but lack of space forced us to shift the classes from 4th – 8th comprising 52 students to another building near High School Adipora, some 2.5 km away from our school,” the teacher said.

“Due to the dilapidated condition of the school, the students are being forced to study under an open sky,” the teacher added.

Similarly, another teacher said that they brought the issue into the notice concerned in the school education department to no avail.

Similarly, locals also said that it is very disappointing seeing the students sitting on the ground in open. “During adverse weather conditions, the students are asked to go home”, they said.

Zonal education officer (ZEO), Dangerpora admitted to KNO that the school is lacking space but they shifted some classes to the high school Adipora structure.

“There is no land available. Otherwise we have a provision to construct another structure. We had already shifted some classes to the high school building,” he said.

Upon being asked about the lack of teachers, the ZEO said that there is a shortage of teachers but it can be fulfilled when there is a new recruitment.

“We have some schools where there are only 6 or 7 teachers for nine classes but what to do, we have to accommodate as there is no new recruitment or adjustment in this zone,” the official added—(KNO)