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Pulwama, Sep 24 : Two migrant labourers were shot at and injured in Kharbhatpora locality of Ratnipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday evening.

An official told the news agency, that the labourers identified as Shamshad Ahmad son of Islam Sheikh and Faizan Qadri both residents of Bihar were shot at by militants in Kharbhatpora locality.

He said that soon after the incident both were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be stable.

The official said that the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 22 : The Waqf Board has identified the land for the much-needed cancer hospital in Kashmir at Eidgah area of Srinagar with Chairperson Darkshan Andrabi saying that the foundation stone of the hospital is likely to be laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon.

Talking exclusively with the news agency, Andrabi said that the cancer hospital was set to come up near Hazrat Sultanul Arifeen (RA) shrine, but the Department of Archaeology didn’t allow the construction of a building there.

However, she said that a huge chunk of Waqf land, which is near about 650 kanals in Eidgah is available. “The encroachment will be removed and 60-80 kanals of land will be kept for the cancer hospital so that the poor and needy people will get some respite,” she said, adding that it is the time when the cancer hospital has to come up and if the step is not taken at this juncture, it can never be taken in the future.

Asked about the laying of foundation stone of the Cancer hospital, she said, “Our efforts are on to ensure that she has requested the Home Minister Amit Shah and he will likely lay the foundation stone of the hospital. We are trying to seek some precious time from the Home Minister for laying the foundation stone of the hospital.”

She further said that the Waqf runs with the charity of people, and the people here always remain ready to give donations. “We have been receiving mails and phone calls about the cancer hospital as the people are ready to donate for the great cause,” she said.

Moreover, she said that the shrines are only meant for performing religious obligations and making the religious places political platform will not be allowed at any cost. “The people visit these shrines to get peace, pray and get blessings. To keep the sanctity of these religious places, it has been decided that no political leader should be allowed to make it a political platform,” he said.

“We are trying to set the things correct in the Waqf board and thus the frequent orders are being made with an aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the Waqf,” she said.

“We are the caretakers of these shrines and we will take every decision to maintain the sanctity of the shrines,” she said.

About the arrest of the religious clerics, she said that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been informed about it and the matter will be looked into and the innocents will be freed as happened in the past.

“We also appeal the government to take action against the political leaders, who have been making controversial statements,” she said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 21 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday late evening claimed to have arrested two active hybrid militants along with arms and ammunition in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a joint team of police, Army’s 22 RR and CRPF’s 179 BN during a cordon and search operation arrested two active hybrid militants in Botingoo area of Sopore.

He said that they recovered incriminating materials including 1 pistol, magazine, 08 pistol rounds and a grenade from their possession.

They have been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganai son of Abdul Rahim Ganai and Waseem Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Rasool Lone—both residents of Botingoo.

Meanwhile, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Sopore and further investigation has been taken up in this regard—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 21 : At least eleven persons have been booked for keeping single use plastic (SUP) in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that 11 persons have been booked under section 290 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for keeping banned SUP, while a formal letter has also been sent to the concerned police station for registration of FIR.

Meanwhile, president Muncipal Council Sopore, Masarat Kar said that least 497 kgs of polythene has been seized in 2022, besides a fine of Rs 62,000 has also been imposed on the violators.

She said that 11 FIRs have also been registered in this regard at the concerned police stations in Sopore.

She added that strict action will be taken against the violators selling or using plastic bags and banned plastic items—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 21 : A Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan died after falling off a building in Pandrethan area of Srinagar, officials said here on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that constable Anuj Kumar of 151 Battalion, A/coy SSB fell from the building at Geology and Mining department in Pandrethan.

He said that the constable was shifted to hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 20 : Police on Monday refuted statement of politician Asaduddin Owaisi over Jamia Masjid Srinagar.

In a handout issued, the Srinagar police said that there is a rumour floated by one non-Kashmir based politician that Jamia Masjid is closed. It is clarified that Jamia is fully open. Only on three occasions in total after it opened post-covid was it temporarily shut, this was owing to inputs of militant attack /law and order situation.

The police spokesman further stated that Jamia was then shut only after Jamia Intezamia authorities failed to give assurance & take responsibility of happening inside the Masjid. Non-Kashmir based persons who are far away from reality should behave responsibly and resist making false statements for gaining sensationalism, reads the statement.(GNS)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sept 20 : The State Investigating Agency (SIA) on Tuesday morning raided the office of Falah-e-Aam Trust in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district in connection with a militancy funding case.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that SIA accompanied by Police conducted raids at the trust in the morning today.

He said that the raid was being conducted in connection with a militancy funding case.

Meanwhile, SIA conducted raids at another Falah-a-Aam Trust office in Nowgam area of Srinagar today morning.

The official said that raids were underway when reports last came in—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Sept 20 : Body of a man, who had drowned into river Jhelum in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district two days ago, was fished out on Tuesday morning.

An official told the news agency, that the man identified as Rafiq Ahmed Mir (45) of Drangbal village of Baramulla had drowned into the Jhelum two days ago.

He said that after hectic efforts his body was fished out from the river today morning.

“After completion of all medico-legal formalities, body was handed over to the family for last rites,” he said.

The official said that police have already registered a case in this regard and are investigating the matter—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Sep 19 : Work on prestigious Zojila tunnel is in full swing with Nilgar 1 tunnel ready while lining of Nilgrar 2 tunnel has commenced, officials said.

They said that 4 km length two each from Kashmir and Ladakh of the main Zoji La tunnel has been completed so far.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the tunnel is envisaged to provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh and the MEIL has paced up the work to ensure its timely completion.

Project Manager Megha engineering and infrastructures Ltd Harpal Singh told KNO that of total 13.5 kilometres, work on four kilometres of the main Zojila tunnel has been completed besides sub structure of three major bridges 1 km cut and cover has been completed so far.

The work on the tunnel was started in the year October 2020. The highway will have two twin-tube tunnels, 4 bridges, and 2 snow galleries, 8 cut and cover structures ,catch dam and deflection dam and lots more.

He added that in addition, a 2,350 metre concrete ‘cut and cover’ tunnel will be built, along with 3 ventilation caverns or shafts.

“Works also include construction of portals, control buildings, ventilation buildings and muck disposables along the route,” it said.

With the construction of the tunnel, distance from Baltal to Minamarg will come down to 13 kilometres from the present 40 km and travel time is expected to be cut by an hour and a half.

The project is expected to lead to integrated development of both the UTs.

The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Kashmir, which is otherwise hampered during winters as Zojila pass is covered in snow and avalanches during winters—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Sep 19 : Growers in Sopore are up in arms against halting of trucks laden with fruit on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), President buyers association fruit mandi Sopore, Mudasir Ahmed Bhat said, that they have suffered heavy losses because of continued blockage of the highway.

He alleged that the authorities are unnecessarily stopping trucks and it seems they deliberately want them to suffer.

“Earlier, we had a meeting with the chief secretary and we were assured that the trucks won’t be halted but nothing has been done on the ground to ease our miseries. Instead our trucks are being hated again and again,” Mudasir added.

Razza ur Rehman, a Bangladeshi national who is dealing with fruit trade at Fruit Mandi Sopore from last 15 years told KNO that they are now on a verge to wind up the business as they are facing huge losses.

“It was earlier taking seven days to reach fruit trucks from Sopore fruit mandi to Bangladesh but now it’s taking at least 12-15 days. Upon reaching the destiny the items we supply get spoiled and are of no use”, Raza added.

Similarly, scores of Bangladeshi nationals who deal with the fruit trade urge administration to take immediate necessary steps for transportation of fresh fruit-laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway without any hindrance.

Notably, fruit growers and buyers across the Kashmir valley are continuously protesting time to time over the halting of trucks along the national highway—(KNO)