Category: Union Territory

365 attempts recorded since Feb 2021; 127 persons died after ending lives; Sukoon helpline providing online counselling to people; Will submit detailed report on suicides to CS, hopeful Govt will take steps to plug trend: SSP SDRF Haseeb-ur Rehman

Srinagar, Sep 21: Post Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmir has witnessed a huge spurt in the suicide attempts and suicides as figures reveal that since February 2021, the Valley witnessed 365 suicide attempts while 127 persons died after taking extreme step.

The data prepared by the SDRF, which is available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), suggest that from February 2021 onwards, 365 attempts of suicides were recorded while as 127 persons died after committing the suicide. “238 survived after taking extreme steps,” the figures reveal.

The data states that district Budgam reported highest number of attempt to suicides at 72 followed by district Baramulla at 61. “Similarly, Ananatnag district recorded 55 suicide attempts and Kupwara 51. Bandipora saw 34 suicide attempts, followed by 19 in Shopian and 15 in Pulwama. District Kulgam recorded 25 suicide bids and Srinagar 17,” the figures revealed, adding that that in total, 365 suicide attempts were recorded from February 2021 to date.

The figures disclosed that 127 people died after taking extreme steps that includes 17 in Srinagar, 11 in Ganderbal, 08 in Bandipora, 09 in Shopian, 08 in Pulwama, 11 in Budgam, 31 in Anantnag 10 in Kulgam, 15 in Baramulla and 07 in Kupwara.

Talking to KNO exclusively, SSP SDRF Hasseeb-ur-Rehman said that post Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmir has seen a spurt in suicide related incidents. “There are many reasons and the most common ones are financial issues and domestic issues. We are receiving a lot of distress calls on the Sukoon help line where we provide immediate counselling. There is a need to plug the growing trend,” he said. The SSP SDRF said that they are going to submit the report to Chief Secretary J&K A K Mehta for action. “We are hopeful that government will act on the report and accordingly steps will be taken to address the issue,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar Sep 20: It was an emotional moment for Kashmiris in general and those families who owned cinemas before 1990’s in Kashmir in particular when Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday inaugurated Kashmir’s first multiplex cinema in Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory.

After over three decades, a cinema hall in Kashmir will allow locals to see movies on a large screen for the first time in Srinagar’s Shivpora area. This reminds the people here about 1990 times when there were many cinemas operational in the valley.

Kashmiri businessman Vijay Dhar, and film distributors and theatre chain INOX, have collaborated to open the Valley’s first multiplex in September. This multiplex has three movie theatres with a total seating capacity of 520 people.

On Tuesday, Amir Khan’s Lal Singh Chaddha was screened but it was for a selected audience.

The regular shows will start from September 30 when Vikram Vedha – Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan starrer movie will be screened. The people in Kashmir are excited to watch movies in cinemas and are waiting for September 30 when regular shows will start in theatres.

“There was a need for cinemas in Kashmir. When we have theatres in Jammu why can’t they have them in Kashmir? Why can’t Kashmiri youth have this entertainment facility? I hope people will support me in this endeavor,” Dhar said, who also owned one of the prominent schools in Kashmir.

The family of Vijay Dhar, a resident of Srinagar, who currently runs the city’s Delhi Public School earlier, owned the Broadway Cinema in Srinagar. Like with other movie theatres in the city, the family had to close.

“I still remember how Kashmiris would line up in large queues to get tickets to watch the movies. I hope Kashmiris will come in large numbers to watch the movies,” Dhar said.

The theatre would be adorned with traditional Kashmiri art especially with the ceilings being designed in the Khatamband patterns.

Madhu Ghori, a Kashmiri Pandit woman whose father owned Palladium Cinema in Srinagar (which is shut since 1990) calls it a great moment for all Kashmiris.

“My grandfather built the first cinema of Kashmir that is Palladium Cinema. He was a pioneer of cinemas in Kashmir. It is an emotional moment to see cinemas have started opening. We hope other cinemas will also open soon,” she told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Recalling the events before the 1990s, she said, “Kashmiris would love to watch movies in cinemas. Parents along with their children would watch movies. I am today emotional to see cinemas open in Kashmir. I hope we will again see like before 1990 times,” she added.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a 70-year-old resident of Srinagar recalls when he would watch movies daily in cinemas in youthful days before the 1990s.

“After returning from school, I along with two friends would go to Palladium or Shiraz cinema and watch movies there. But unfortunately, there is no entertainment for youth in today’s times. Seeing cinemas now opening, it is an emotional moment for us. We hope more cinemas are opened in coming weeks,” Bhat said, who is father of three children.

In the 1980s, nine of the Valley’s 15 operating movie theatres were located in Srinagar. Broadway, Regal, Neelam, Palladium, Firdaus, Shiraz, Khayam, Naaz, and Shah were the most well-known movie theatres in Srinagar. While some of them were transformed into hotels and even hospitals, the majority became camps for security forces deployed in the Valley.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said cinema lovers are everywhere in Kashmir and cinemas have a great history in the Valley. “There used to be a time when people in large numbers would come to watch movies along with friends and families. Cinemas would provide them opportunities to think big and dream big besides entertaining them,” the LG said.

He said in 1965, a Bollywood blockbuster of yesteryears, ‘Janwar’, starring famous Bollywood actor Shami Kapoor was screened at Broadway cinema. “Such was the love of Kappor for Kashmir that he had asked his family members to perform his last rites in Dal Lake, Srinagar,” the LG said. (KINS)

Srinagar, Sep 21: The liquor prices in Jammu and Kashmir capital- Srinagar are sky rocketing with tourists accusing the wine shop merchants of fleeing them with impunity.
Tourists from various states accused that the booze prices are manipulated in a broad day light in Srinagar by liquor shops and the beverages are sold at a double price without any fear of reprisal.
They added that while the price tag of a liquor bottle is Rs 680, it is sold to customers at the rate of Rs 1100. “We don’t know where the government is and why no action is being taken. The wine shops situated at Boulevard Road Dalgate- a tourist hub are fleecing the customers without any fear. We understand that the local populace isnt approving the liquor consumption but why tourists are fleeced in such a ruthless manner. It seems like the excise department is in cohorts with these wine shops,” accused a Bangalore based tourist wishing not to be named.

Budgam: In a shocking incident, a teenager was arrested in Khag area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday for sodomising a minor boy, officials said here.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the teenager had sodomised a 4-year-old boy in Khag.

He said that soon after receiving information about the same, police swung into action and arrested the teenager.

The official added that a case under section 377 IPC and 04 POSCO act has been registered and investigation has also been started in this regard—(KNO)

More arrests expected:- Police

Srinagar, Sep 20: A religious clerk has been arrested in rape and murder charges in Tangmarg area of Baramulla and public has hailed the police action.

A police official told Kashmir News Apex- (KNA) that they had received a call and they were informed that a baby has been buried in a local graveyard and a FIR no 115 of 2022 was registered at Police Station Kunzar after proper investigation police has arrested a person who had affairs with a minor girl and she had given birth to a baby.

He said that arrested person was leading prayers in the area for a decade now and he had taken help of two boys in burying the baby by telling them they are burying holy Quran.

However, the two boys suspected something fishy and accordingly informed police and after through investigation, they managed to crack the case and said Molvi has accepted the crime.

He added that doctors said that stitches given to minor girl were given by non practitioner and more arrests in this case are expected. (KNA)

Youth arrested for pelting stones at crew of Emraan Hashmi’s film in J-K

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: A youth was arrested for allegedly pelting stones at the film crew of Emraan Hashmi-starrer ‘Ground Zero’ in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.
Some media reports claimed the actor was injured in the incident that took place on Sunday when the crew was shooting in the Pahalgam area.
Hashmi, however, said the reports are “inaccurate”.
After the film shooting ended at 7:15 pm on September 18, a miscreant pelted stones at the crew members, the Anantnag police said in a tweet.
“Accordingly FIR no. 77/2022 was registered in Police Station Pahalgam. The miscreant was identified and arrested,” it said.
Hashmi and the film crew have been shooting for ‘Ground Zero’ in Kashmir for the past two weeks and have not faced any issues. The incident in Pahalgam was an isolated one and involved only one person, the officials said.
Hashmi dismissed reports that he was injured in the stone pelting.
“The people of Kashmir have been very warm and welcoming, it has been an absolute joy shooting in Srinagar and Pahalgam. The news of me being injured in a stone pelting incident is inaccurate,” the actor tweeted. (Agencies)

“We are expecting a bad flu season, making this year’s flu shot all the more critical,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Srinagar, Sep 19: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday urged people to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) ahead of possible severe flu season.

Dr Hassan said the past two flu seasons have been milder than usual, with low numbers of cases and very few hospitalizations.

The decline was because of Covid precautions such as face masking and social distancing. People were also traveling less during the height of the pandemic.

“Now that people are out without masks, travelling extensively, business has resumed and children are back to schools, there are more opportunities for the virus to circulate and flu could make a comeback,” he said.

The DAK President said in typical years, a good percentage of the population gets infected with influenza and builds immunity against the infection.

“What we are seeing are a couple of years where we didn’t see infection. So more people may be susceptible to influenza in this season that could lead to higher rates of infection and also more severe cases,” he said.

“Moreover, the southern hemisphere witnessed the worst flu season in five years which is an indication that this could be a bad flu season in the northern hemisphere as well,” he added.

“That makes this season’s flu vaccine vitally important,” said Dr Nisar.

He said everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine before the start of flu season which begins in October and can last late into May. Since it takes 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective, it is best to get the vaccine now. However vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season.

This season’s flu vaccine has been updated to better match currently circulating viruses.

“While the vaccine is recommended for all, it is especially needed in young children, elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions,” he said.

Srinagar, Sept 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Monday ordered ban on Dastaar Bandi (Turban-tying) ceremonies of people particularly political leaders at all shrines and religious places governed by the board across the Union Territory.

In an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Today , J&K Waqf Board chairperson stated that Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievement will be allowed with prior permission.

The order reads that he Board is in receipt of a number of complaints regarding unethical use of platform of Ziyarats to appease influential people, particularly the political leaders, through Turban-tying (Dastaar Bandi) ceremony at Ziyarats / Khangahs.

“The leaders continue to be invited to the shrines and their Dastaar Bandi is carried out on the basis of party affiliations to promote political agenda at sacred religious places,” it reads.

It reads that chairperson J&K Wagf Board has taken a serious view of the matter, and the Board is of the view that religious places like, Ziyarats / Khanqahs/Masjids/Darul Ulooms, can only be used to promote religious activities, and Dastaar Bandi at such places can only be carried out to felicitate people for their achievements in the religious field.

“Now therefore, Dastaar Bandi of people at all religious places, governed by the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, is hereby completely banned. However, Dastaar Bandi of people for religious achievements shall be allowed with prior permission of the Central Office Waqf Board,” it reads.

It added that all the administrators and Executive Officers are directed to ensure strict implementation of this order, and any violation shall immediately be brought to the notice of the Central Office for legal action in the matter.

Srinagar, Sep 17: The leading members of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the representative amalgam of religious social and educational organisations of Kashmir  in a joint statement have condemned the latest arrests of Islamic scholars by police and other forces across Kashmir.

The MMU in a statement said that during the last two days, arresting more than half a dozen religious scholars and preachers of Kashmir and booking them under PSA is condemnable . It said that not only are these actions by the authorities unjustified but  are causing severe anger among the people as well.

The Majlis-e-Ulema reaffirmed that the main work of scholars and preachers is to propagate the religion of Islam, spread the message of humanity and love, and make positive efforts for the supremacy of truth & righteousness and the reformation of society

The MMU demanded the release of all the arrested clerics and preachers and the leaders and youths who are languishing in prisons. It reiterated its call for the release of its patron Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq who continues to be under house arrest for the last more than three years – since 5 August 2019.

The constituent organisations of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema include: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar, Darul Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora, Grand Mufti’s Muslim Personal Law Board, Anjuman Shari’an Shiaan, Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth, Jama’at-e-Islami, Karwaan-e-Islami, Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tabligh-e-Islam, Jamiat Hamadaniyah, Anjuman Ulema-e-Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aima Wa Ulema, Anjuman Aima Wa Mashaaikh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya, Darul Uloom Rasheediya, Ahl-e-Bayt Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Peerwan-e-Wilaayat, Auqaf Islamia Khirram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tawheed Ahl-e-Hadeeth Trust, Anjuman Tanzeem-al-Makatib, Muhammadi Trust, Anjuman Anwar-ul-Islam, Karwaan-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat, Darul Uloom Syed Al Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulema Wa Aima Masaajid, Falah Dareen Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Darul Uloom Natipora Srinagar and other contemporary religious, social and educational associations.

Uri, Sept 16: Body of minor girl was found on Friday night, hours after she was picked by a leopard and taken along in a forest area in Gawashar area of Bijhama Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district this evening.

According to reports reaching GNS, the girl identified as Munizah (6) daughter of Imran Ahmad Beigh of Jabadar Bijhama Uri was with the family, putting up in Behak (makeshift) house, when the leopard attacked and vanished into dense forest area along with her. The family raised a hue and cry but could not save the girl from the clutches of the beast. Later a police party also reached the spot and started massive searches along with the locals and family.

After searching through the dense forests, girl’s body was found. Official sources also confirmed to GNS the recovery of the body. (GNS)