Category: Union Territory

One accused namely Umer Farooq S/o Farooq Ahmed R/o Pamposh Colony, Srinagar arrested for murdering his Sister-in-law( elder Bhabi). Weapon of offence also recovered on his disclosure in front of magistrate. Case registered in safakadal PS under relevant sections of murder: Srinagar Police

Police arrests accused, starts investigation

Srinagar, Nov 20: A woman has been allegedly killed by in laws in Palpora area of Srinagar on Sunday.

Relatives of the lady told news wire Kashmir News Apex-(KNA) that Lady identified as Maimoona who was from Kanipora and married in Palpora Srinagar has been killed by in laws.

They alleged that she was killed by brother in law’s son with axe.

They added that she has only ailing father and brother at her paternal home and has visited to Palpora on Friday only after 15 days.

They said Lady was married two years back and was mother of little girl.

They said that her husband at work when incident has taken place and have demanded action in this regard.

Meanwhile police has arrested accused and started investigation in this regard. (KNA)

‘Major chunk of patients relapsed due to non-adherence to medications’, ‘more than 94 percent drug addicts use heroin’

Srinagar, Nov 19: Intravenous opioid use has surged among young population in Kashmir during Covid-19 with many patients having relapsed due to non-adherence to medications during the two years of pandemic, a study conducted by a Post Graduate Resident Department of Psychiatry (IMHANS) GMC Srinagar along with three other doctors has revealed.

The study conducted to find the various sociodemographic variables of substance use disorder among patients and to study the change in the pattern of substance use disorder has showed that percentage of intravenous opioid use has increased tremendously and that major chunk of patients also relapsed due to non-adherence to medications during Covid-19 when most of the drug de addiction centres were closed.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the various SOP measures have adversely affected substance use patterns adversely. Disruptions in health services and various treatment plans of people who consume substances were seen in many parts of the world,” one among the doctors who conducted the study, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that the lockdown and restrictions during the pandemic could not affect drug trafficking.

The curbs implemented to contain the Covid, according to the doctor, triggered social isolation, frustration, boredom, stress and panic among people

“To counter these emotions many people indulged into and relapsed back and started taking drugs again. This negative coping has led to immense increase in substance use in various populations,” he said.

The doctor said that study reflects that people belonging to the age group 21-30 years are mostly using substances, specifically opioids and the percentage of people affected was significantly higher in this study (64.5%) as compared to the study conducted earlier (50.5%).

“This finding would reflect the frustration and free time this age group experienced due to the confinement in homes and closure of various recreational facilities as this group in the most active and outgoing age group) In the study, rural and urban population constituted 68.60% and 31.40% respectively. “This is because our hospital is a government hospital which is preferred by the rural population as compared to the affluent urban population who mostly visit private facilities due to the stigma associated with substance use disorder),” he added.

“The closure of various educational institutions and change in the delivery of education services such as online classes led to build up of tension and anxiety in young students besides that the lack of technical knowledge and excessive screen time spent in view of online classes has fuelled up the anxiety and stress among students. Likewise, people belonging to the economic sector, especially the self-employed, faced huge economic setbacks due to closure of various business establishments and start ups and it is seen that people with substance use disorder develop increased severity when faced with unemployment or financial crisis,” the doctor said.

Heroin was the most commonly used opioid (94.12%) compared to pharmaceutical opioids (5.88%). In contrast to a study conducted earlier, in which heroin was 84.33% and pharmaceutical opioids was 24.33%, he said.

He explained it by saying the resilience of the opioid market to various pandemic measures but pharmaceutical opioids were restricted.

In the study, the most common route of administration of drugs was intravenous 79.42% in contrast to studies conducted earlier where percentage of intravenous users is 7.91% and 51.53%) and it reflects that the shortage of resources to procure the substance leading to a switch from oral/chasing to intravenous route as the amount required for the same effect is quite low when opioids are used intravenously, he added.

“The percentage of patients having positive serology was also greater. This could be explained by increase seen in reusing of needles due to lack to procure fresh needles and also increasing frequency of injecting in people with substance using behaviour and the percentage of patients who had sought treatment in the past was about 38.31% in comparison to only 13% and 11% of patients as per studies conducted earlier and this finding would be due to increased relapse during the pandemic as the various treatment facilities were shut down,” he added.

The IMHANS de-addiction center where the study was conducted was the only centre in the valley that continued providing services both IPD and OPD to substance users during COVID times.

The need to continue services was felt by the IMHANS department because drug addiction was a parallel epidemic in Kashmir with more mortality and morbidity rate compared to Covid—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 19 : The authorities have declared a batch of Nestle Milkmaid as sub-standard and unsafe for use in the Kashmir Valley after its sample was lifted and tested.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), deputy commissioner Food Safety Kashmir, Shagoofa Jalal said a particular batch of Nestle Milkmaid has been declared sub-standard and unsafe after its sample was lifted in the month of September.

She said during sampling it was found to be sub-standard and unsafe for use by Food Analyst National Food Laboratory Gaziabad.

“A particular batch has been declared unsafe not all the Nestle Milkmaid products. The batch of Milkmaid which has been declared unsafe includes batch no. 00520451ZA while rest all batches are safe,” she said.

She added people are advised not to use products of this particular batch only and need not to panic as rest of the batches were safe—(KNO)

Hotel U2 Plaza Sopore, located 1Km away from Sopore Railway Station and 2 Km from Sopore Fruit Mundi, features a cozy bed rooms with all amenities. Set within a few minutes’ drive from Sopore fruit Mundi on bypass road Sopore.

Hotel U2 Plaza is one of the leading property in Sopore town. Hotel U2 Plaza has always maintained the Best Standards with caring staff, modern interiors and has always focused the utmost comfort of its Guests/visitors/ tourists who come to visit Sopore town or apple town for business or tourist purpose.
Hotel has special bouquet hall for business conferences and large parties.
Hotel has restaurant inside where guests get Delicious Recipes of all kinds veg/non-veg, Wazwan, Indian, Chinese, tandoori and more.
Here are some great amenities our Hotel has
• 24×7 Check-in –Checkout
• All Food Cuisines (Veg/Non-Veg, Indian, Wazwan, Tandoori , Chinese)
• Secure parking
• CCTV surveillance
• Fiber Internet Wifi
• Warm water
• AC lounge for food
• Pick-up and Drop Service
• Fully furnished Rooms
• Conference Hall (Party Hall)
• Hotel has Meeting rooms for ring ceremonies and corporate meetings.
• Competitive room rents
• For long stay guest’s hotel provides special discount
• Hotel can arrange trips for other destinations in Kashmir valley.
Location: U2 Plaza, Bypass Road Sopore Jammu and Kashmir -193201
For reservations: contact: 6005 414 417 email : [email protected]

Says won’t contest party elections slated for Dec 05; in 1996, there was no party except NC, Employed Rehabr-e-Taleem, 300 doctors; ready to face Assembly polls, want peaceful J&K, better relations with Delhi

Jammu, Nov 19: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday that he will contest the Assembly elections whenever they are held but won’t fight party polls slated for December 05.

“J&K is a place of rumours and that’s nothing new. I will contest Assembly polls for sure whenever they are held. I won’t fight the NC elections for choosing the party chief on December 05. Delegates will choose the new party president,” Dr Farooq told reporters in Jammu, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that in 1996 there was no other party than NC. “It was the NC that employed teachers under Rehbar-e-Taleem and 300 doctors were appointed,” he said. Senior Abdullah said NC’s strategy for Assembly polls is ready and the party is fully geared up to face the elections. He said NC wants peaceful J&K and better relations with New Delhi.

Dr Farooq’s assertions comes a day after political grapevine was ripe with the rumours that he has decided to end his political career and won’t neither contest party polls nor Assembly polls—(KNO)

Srinagar: A Jammu & Kashmir court on Friday sentenced a man to six months imprisonment for carrying out illegal modification including including high car siren to his Mahindra Thar vehicle in contravention of Section 52 of Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 (MV Act) UT of Jammu & Kashmir V/s Adil Farooq Bhat.

The violator Adil Farooq Bhat was later given the benefit of probation under the Probation of offenders Act subject to him executing a bond to the tune of ₹2 lakh for keeping peace and good behavior for a period of two years.

The judgment was passed after the violator appeared before the court and pleaded guilty for modifying/altering the vehicle in question from its original condition, as specified in the registration certificate (RC) of the vehicle.

Since the offence does not involve any moral turpitude and the violator has not been previously convicted and having regard to his age and antecedents the purpose of the justice shall be served if the case is considered under probation of offenders Act, and accused is given benefit of probation. Therefore, the accused is directed to execute a bond to the tune of Rs 2 lakh for keeping peace and good behavior for the period of two years,” the judgment said.

In violation of any condition of bond during the period of two years the accused shall receive the proposed sentence, the Court added.

The judgment was passed by Additional Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Malik who also directed RTO Srinagar to remove all the modifications and restore the vehicle to its original state.

The RTO Kashmir at Srinagar is directed to remove the car siren and all the modifications those were done in contravention to the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act and the rules made thereunder and restore the vehicle (Thar) to its original position as specified in the Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle”, the judgment said.

The equipment/ fittings so removed should be returned to the violator against proper receipt and the cost of removing the modifications as well as restoring the vehicle to its original position shall be recovered from the violator, the Court added.

The entire incident shall be videographed and the same shall be submitted before the court, the judgment further directed.

The Court also ordered Additional Director General of Police, Traffic (J&K) to take strict action against those who have modified vehicles in contravention of law.

“As per section 52 of MV Act, no motor vehicle shall be modified or altered from its original position in contravention to the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act and without the permission from the concerned authority,” the Court underlined.

The Court also explained the reasons why people carry out such modifications.

“There are mainly two reasons why people violate these rules; one, lack of awareness and second, no strict action against the violators, therefore it is imperative to educate the people on the subject and simultaneously strict action as warranted under law must be taken against the violators,” the Court said. (Bar and Bench)

Srinagar, Nov 19: Jammu and Kashmir Police have raided 10 locations in Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Kashmir valley in connection with investigation of a case related to recent threats to journalists, police said.

Reliable Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that in Srinagar searches are being carried out in the house of Gowhar Geelani son Nazir Ahmad Shah, a resident of Nowshera and Sajad Ahmad Sheikh @Sajad Gul son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Rose Avenue colony at HMT and the residence of Momin Gulzar (active militant) at Firdous Colony Eidgah is also being searched 

Massive searches are being carried out at the residence of Journalist Waseem Raja son of Raja Abdul Khalid, a resident of Chinar colony Rangreth in Srinagar. Another raid is going on at the residence of Sajad Ahmad Kralyari son of Abdul Majeed , a resident of Pandithpora Kralyar Rainawari.

In Srinagar’s Nowgam, Police party from Srinagar police raided the residence of Mukhtar Ahmad Baba son of Mohammad Yaseen Baba at Sheikhul Alam Colony. Residence of Abu Aadil Pandith son of Abdullah Pandith, a resident of Nowpora Khanyar who is an advocate by profession is also being searched by the police.

Another team of police raided the residence of journalist Hakim Rashid Maqbool son of Mohammad Maqbool Razvi, a resident of Adaalat masjid Madeen Sahib Hawal.

In Anantnag, police raided the joint residence of Qazi Yasir and Journalist Qazi Shubli (The Kashmiriyat).

The searches are also being carried out at the residence of Khalid Gul who was earlier associated with Greater Kashmir. 

Kashmir police zone twitter said “Massive searches in connection with investigation of case related to recent threats to journalists started by Police at 10 locations in Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam. Details shall be followed.”

Earlier, Srinagar police in a tweet said “Case registered against handlers, active terrorists & OGWs of terror outfit LeT & its offshoot TRF for online publication & dissemination of a direct threat letter to journalists & reporters based in Kashmir. FIR No. 82/2022 U/S 13 UAPA, 505, 153B, 124A & 506 IPC in Shergari PS. (KDC)

(Story will be updated )

Srinagar, Nov 19: Meteorological department here on Saturday forecast isolated to scattered light rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours.

An official of the weather department here told GNS that mainly dry weather was expected thereafter till November 26. The MeT office has already ruled out the possibility of major snowfall till the end of this month.

Regarding the temperature, the MeT official said, Srinagar recorded a low of 2.2°C against 0.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal for the summer capital during this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 1.8°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.0°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 1.3°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C above normal for the south Kashmir resort, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 2.8°C against 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.2°C above normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.5°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official told GNS. It was normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 1.8°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.0°C above normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 11.7°C against 10.0°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 3.8°C (0.8°C above normal), Batote 5.2°C (0.1°C below normal), Katra 10.2°C (0.3°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 3.4°C (7.1°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Kargil recorded a low of minus 4.6°C, Leh minus 10.1°C and mercury in Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, settled at minus 7.1°C, the official said. (GNS)

Kupwara: An uncle-nephew duo was rescued from a well after a tedious rescue operation, which spanned for over ten hours, at Chak-e-Hatmulla in Nagri area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

A joint operation was launched by police, army, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Department and locals soon after news about the trapping of a boy and an another person in a well, spread.

A local source earlier told GNS that a minor boy namely Firdous Ahmad Mir, son of Nazir Ahmed Mir fell into a well, while he had gone to fetch a cricket ball. “Soon as the news spread, his uncle Mohammad Shafi Mir son of Abdul Aziz Mir, went inside the well to save him, however instead of saving him he too got trapped as a mudslide occurred in the meantime”, the sources said.

The news soon spread to nuke and cranny with people from different areas gathering at the spot, who made frantic efforts to save them. However the efforts didn’t yielded much even as the district administration had to rope in various agencies to evacuate the duo.

The rescue operation kept on getting hampered as the caved in well witnessed more frequent erosions throughout.

Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Doifode Sagar Dattatray, who himself supervised the operation towards its conclusion, earlier talking to GNS termed the operation sensitive and tough of its kind. He said that men and machinery which included four JCBs were moved within ten minutes of the incident, with three ambulances and a team of doctors also kept on standby.

Tehsildar, DySP Headquarters, SHO and other functionaries also oversaw the rescue operation till its conclusion at around 2:06 AM.

“Soon after evacuation, the duo was removed to SDH Kupwara for immediate treatment”, said few locals.

“We are uncertain as what will happen, but do hope that both of them survive”, they said adding “we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattaray and other people who remained present here throughout.”