Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: Mohammad Subhan, (name change) a resident of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district struggles to help his lone son overcome heroin and opium addiction. His son, who is 27-year-old youth, started taking drugs at the age of 17. Subhan, a shopkeeper by profession, wanted his son to become an advocate. However, all his dreams have almost shattered now.

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“He initially started smoking along with his friends when he was in school and I got to know about it later. When he reached high secondary, he started taking Charas and later on opium. He did not go to college as he became a drug addict. I came to know that he was introduced to a drug peddler by one of his friends in our village. Firstly, he was given drugs free of cost and then he started selling things at home like TV, bike to buy drugs,” Subhan told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

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He feels helpless now. “I tried to stop him from taking drugs but failed. I once took him to a drug de-addiction centre and kept there for a month. Once he returned home, he again started taking drugs. The drugs have destroyed the lives of three members in our family, me, my son and wife,” he said.

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Subhan says after taking drugs, he became more prone to aggressive behaviour, resorting to violence at home when denied money.

Like Subhan, drugs have destroyed hundreds of families in Kashmir.

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It has been seen that unemployment is the biggest reason for the youth to get hooked to drugs. Another reason is when one of the friends get involved in the abuse, other friends getting attracted.

There are even some medical shops who are selling drugs to youth. In South Kashmir’s Qazigun area, a boy recently died during a night after consuming drugs.

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“He had taken drugs at home and then could not wake up in the morning. His family members took him to the hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” one of his relatives said. This boy was also the lone son of his parents.

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Similarly, a boy died in a hotel at Pahalgam in Anantnag district in December last year. After investigation it was found that he died due to drugs. Police then arrested a drug peddler and three more youth.

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Locals say drugs are easily available and youth fall prey easily. The most affected villages and areas in South Kashmir like Bijbehara, main town Anantnag, Asjipora, Shirpora, Kokernag, Sagam, Dooru and Verinag.

A gram of heroin is sold at between 3000 rupees and 4000 rupees. A police official said that Charas is cultivated along the banks of river Jehlum in South Kashmir. Similarly, Opium is grown from poppy seeds.

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As per Jammu and Kashmir police figures, 1132 drug-related cases were registered in 2020. Around 1672 persons involved in drug smuggling and peddling were arrested. Around 35 drug peddlers were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).

Likewise, 152.18 kgs of heroin were seized in 2020. Besides, 563.61kgs of charas/ganja and 22230.48kgs opium/poppy/cannabis derivatives were seized during the year. “We have made huge drug recoveries across Jammu and Kashmir. Police have worked hard to bust the narco trade. Many cases were challaned. Even some arrests were made outside Jammu and Kashmir to break the supply chain,” Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police, Jammu, and Kashmir had said.

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An official at drug de-addiction centre in central Kashmir Srinagar said most patients are coming from four districts of South Kashmir where drugs are widely used.

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“One of the main reasons is easy availability. There are lots of people who are involved in drug trade and cultivate drugs like Charas and opium,” the official said. (KINS)

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Srinagar: Encounter has started between militants and government forces in Shalgul forest in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police, Army’s 3RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Shalgul forest.

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As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.

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A senior police officer also confirmed to GNS about exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

As per the sources two to three militants are believed to be trapped.(GNS)

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Ganderbal, Feb 23: Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to throw open picturesque Sonamarg tourist resort February 25 in a bid to promote tourism.

This year, the tourist destination will be open for tourists and locals earlier than previous years. o Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Dr Shafqat Iqbal told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that that all the basic facilities have been restored which include water and electric supply in Sonmarg area.

“The tourist destination will be thrown open on February 25 this year,” he said, adding that “the administration is organizing a winter festival in collaborations with Tourism department to promote tourism and attract more tourists to visit the destination on the first day of opening.”

He said that all arrangements in this regard have been made and tourists can enjoy different colorful programs on the occasion. “People will made aware about different schemes of the government so that they can avail the benefit,” he said.

The DC Ganderbal requested people to be part of the event in large numbers and help the administration to promote Sonamarg as the best tourist destination in Kashmir—(KNO)

Appeals authorities to find ‘amicable’ solution to problems of mutton dealers of Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 23: At a time when impasse over mutton rates continues between the government and wholesale dealers, retail dealers on Tuesday staged a protest here urging authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem so that the mutton crisis ends in the Valley.

The retail dealers who had gathered at Press Colony to register their protest against the continuous stalemate between the two sides over the mutton rates according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said their families are on the verge of starvation as their shops are closed for the last four months.

They appealed the government to end the four month long impasse and find an amicable solution to the problems which they said has caused immense hardships for them.

“We appeal the authorities to find an amicable solution to the problem. The stalemate over mutton rates has not only affected common masses but retail industry too has taken a hit,” said Mohammad Saleem, a protester.

He said their shops have been closed ever since the government announced fresh rates for mutton which led to the stalemate between wholesale mutton dealers and the authorities concerned.

“Our shops are closed for the last four months as the two sides have yet to come to some conclusion over mutton rates. We are poor people who cannot afford to sit at home. How long we suffer, we appeal Lieutenant Governor to personally look into the issue so that four months long impasse comes to an end,” he added—(KNO)

Srinagar: A day after partial restoration of Railway service in Kashmir valley after remaining suspended for more than eleven months, local commuters on Tuesday alleged that Railway authorities have resorted to unilateral hike in the fare tariffs.

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One of the passengers Sahil Shakeel told News Agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that soon after partial restoration of railway services; authorities have raised the fare amount unilaterally, which has left common people in doldrums.

“Earlier, we used to pay 10 rupees fare from Anantnag to Srinagar, now after its partial restoration we are being forced to pay rupees 30 fare to reach the same destiny. Similarly, commuters were being charged Rs 25 earlier from Budgam to Banihal now the fare has been increased to rupees 50″ he alleged.

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“This sudden hike in fare is unacceptable and the administration needs to intervene into the matter” said another commuter Fayaz Ahmad.

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The fare hike has invited sharp criticism from masses across Kashmir and people are demanding its immediate rollback. (KDC)

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Srinagar: The MeT office forecasts erratic weather throughout the week with a possibility of heavy rain/snowfall at some places in Jammu and Kashmir on 25-26 February. According to the MeT official, the weather system may cause disruptions of flights and slippery road conditions Banihal-Ramban, Zojila, Mugal road etc during the two days.

For 26 and 27 February, the weatherman has issued a “yellow warning” for “isolated heavy rains/snow/thundershowers” in Kashmir as well as Jammu divisions.

There are four types colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow—situation to be watched), amber –government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red –action needed by the agencies. (GNS)

Srinagar, Feb 22: Amid rise in minimum as well as maximum temperature, the weatherman here has predicted moderate snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir from Friday (February 26).

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Deputy Director Meteorological department (MeT), Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of moderate snowfall across J&K from Feb 26.

He said that the wet spell will begin on February 26 and will continue till 27 evening, saying that the weather conditions would improve from March 01 completely.

Ahmad, when asked about the possibility of dip in temperature, said that the minimum as well as the maximum temperature will plummet two to three degrees across the Valley. “The temperature from nearly 16 degrees Celsius in a day would go down by two or three degrees,” he said.

Pertinently, the temperature after the 40-day harshest winter period, Chila-e-Kalan, started increasing across Kashmir an settled close to 16 degrees Celsius in day—(KNO)

Rapid response team deployed in the area: Officials

Jahangeer Ganaie

A case of H5N8 (Avian influenza) popularly known as bird flu has been reported from Arbal area of Dooru in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district following which a rapid response team was constituted.

Officials told the news agency—KNO, that ten days ago few crows were found dead in Arbal after which their sample was taken, which has now been found positive.

They said that soon after the confirmation of the case, a rapid response team was deployed in the area.

The officials said that SOPs are being adopted fully by the rapid response team, besides that demarcation of the infected zone and surveillance zone along with disinfection of the area is also being done.

They added that officials have been directed to survey and collect samples of the poultry including backyard and commercial poultry farms.

It is pertinent to mention that cases of avian influenza were found at various places in J&K among migratory birds and crows, however, cases of avian influenza among domestic birds were found so far in Udhampur only.

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that Ministry of External Affairs will decide about holding of dialogue with Pakistan.
“Ministry of External Affairs will take a decision as it is taking care of such things,” Sinha told reporters in Jammu when asked National Conference and PDP was advocating dialogue with Pakistan, news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) reported.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday called for a dialogue with Pakistan to end militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
He recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words that “you can change your friends but not your neighbours”.
Abdullah recalled Vajpayee’s words and said: “Either we grow friendship and prosper or continue the enmity, then there will be no prosperity.”
Similarly, Sinha said those who are demanding early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir must cooperate with the Delimitation Commission so that the exercise is completed at the earliest. “Once the Delimitation exercise completes, the ECI will take a call,” the LG said.
He also condemned recent attacks on policemen and civilians in Kashmir and said they won’t allow militancy to grow.
Recently, National Conference MPs, Farooq Abdullah, Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi, recently wrote a letter to Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, chairperson Delimitation Commission expressing their inability to associate with the commission proceedings.
The MPs have requested Justice Desai not to go ahead with the process of delimitation of union territory constituencies as the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 was under judicial scrutiny in the Supreme Court.
“In our view the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 is palpably unconstitutional and has been enacted in disregard and violation of mandate and spirit of constitution of India and, therefore not to be acted upon,” the letter reads, a copy of which lies with news agency KINS.
“We are of the humble opinion that as vires or constitutional validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and the Constitutional Orders (C.O 272 and C.O 273) are under Judicial Scrutiny before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the principle of Constitutional Propriety demands that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 should await Hon’ble Supreme Court.”
“We would also respectfully and with all humility at our command request Hon’ble Chairperson, a renowned legal luminary of the country not to go ahead with the proceedings as it may amount to exercise of powers under an Act constitutional validity whereof is being examined by the Constitutional Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and is, therefore, at present constitutionally suspect law,” the letter further reads. (KINS)

Srinagar, Feb 22: Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Muft, who was re-elected as PDP president for next three years, on Monday responded to the alleged “threat” by Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar, saying “let him do his work, I will do my job”
Soon after being re-elected as PDP chief, Mehbooba claimed that ordinary PDP work continues to repose faith in PDP and did not go with senior leaders who deserted the party.

“I don’t Understand Hindi, Please ask me question in Urdu,” Mehbooba said when asked about her future strategy by a reported in Hindi, one of the official languages incorporated by the centre recently.

“I think the workers have once again given me responsibility and I’m alive to it given the fact that we are in a different situation.

The situation is difficult and there are many challenges before the state,” she said after the reported asked the question in Urdu.

“The PDP came into being to resolve the Kashmir issue, to make the situation better, to represent wishes and aspiration of the people. This will remain or agenda,” she said as per GNS, adding, “The vision of late Mufti Sayeed was to make Kashmir a pull of peace between India and Pakistan and not the arena of war. We will continue to work this endeovor.”

Responding to a question by a reporter about the “straight forward threat” by the IGP Kashmir last week, Mehbooba said: “Let him do his work, I will do my job.

Wherever there is oppression and atrocities, I will raise it. A father seeks body of his son which is denied to him. Elsewhere people at the last minute prevented abduction of the girl. I will have to raise the voice against the difficulties facing the people. If IGP feels that I am doing any unlawful act by raising these issues and I need to be arrested, let him do his duty.”

The IGP Kashmir last week warned the political mainstream leaders irrespective of stature of necessary action if they try instigate people on fake news or rumors and said that dossiers are ready and every activity is being recorded.

To a question that PAGD was making “hoax statement on 370 and statehood”, Mehbooba said: “Statehood is to be given by centre and not Mehbooba Mufti.”

She also claimed that a common PDP worker stands by the party as was “depicted” in the DDC elections. “Out of 60 seats, we won 30 and it shows that PDP is still alive and also shows that the senior PDP leaders who ran away could not take the ordinary worker with them.”(GNS)