Category: Union Territory

Srinagar, Sep 03: Two drug peddlers were arrested in summer capital Srinagar on Saturday

Srinagar police in a tweet as per KNA said that two drug peddlers were arrested in khanyar area of Srinagar who have been identified as Majid Ashraf wani son of Mohammad Ashraf wani resident of Sheshgari, Khanyar and 2Ghulam Mohammad malla Son of Mohammad subhan malla resident of sumbal, Bandipora.

Police said that 16 grams of heroin recovered from them and their vehicle used for transportation of drugs was also seized.

“Two drug peddlers arrested namely Majid Ashraf wani s/o Mohammad Ashraf wani R/o Sheshgari, Khanyar and 2 Ghulam Mohammad malla S/o Mohammad subhan malla R/o sumbal, Bandipora. 16 grams of heroin recovered from them. One vehicle also seized as used for transportation of drugs.” Tweeted Srinagar Police (KNA)

Srinagar, Sep 2: In a classic act of communal harmony and amity, members of Muslim community Friday performed last rites of an elderly Pandit woman in Pargochi village in south-Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Chunni Devi, 75, wife of Chunni Lal Kanna, as learnt by GNS, died of prolonged illness on Thursday night.

Soon after news about the death broke, locals of the area flocked to the residence of ‘Chunni Ji’. After consoling the bereaved family overnight, the members of Muslim community this morning arranged wood and carried the body to crematorium besides performing other necessary rituals – in accordance with Hindu religion.

Many elders and women were seen visiting the family to offer condolences on death of the elderly woman. (GNS)

Srinagar, Sep 1: The Designs, Inspections, and Quality Control Department, J&K bid farewell to Chief Engineer Mohammad Hanif Lone for the completion of his services at a function held at the Banquet Hall in Srinagar.
The function was attended by the Additional Secretary Public works department Sh. Rajnish Kumar, Additional Secretary R&B and HRM Sh. Shahid Mehmood, Chief Engineer R&B Department Er. Rafiq Ahmad Rafique, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood control Er. Naresh Kumar, Superintending Engineer Ravender Gupta, and various heads of departments and the sub-ordinate staff.
During the event, officials congratulated him for the completion of 38 years of illustrious service and highlighted various projects completed under him which include the construction of two 9MW power projects in Leh, construction of major work of flood control on the civil channel of Kishan Ganga at Bandipore, construction of various filtration plants, laying of drainage network in various parts of Srinagar, water supply projects and design and quality test reports of Srinagar roadways.
The officials also highlighted his efforts during 2014 flood control and subsequent relief and rehabilitation initiatives taken.
Speaking at the event Additional Secretary Public works Department appreciated the cordial and efficient work culture created by Sh Mohd Hanif Lone during his tenure and considered him an inspiration, especially for the people of the border area of Gurez valley. Chief Engineer R&B Department Er. Rafiq Ahmad Rafique paid tribute to him for serving in all three divisions of the erstwhile state and credited him for the completion of design and quality tests in record time.
Speaking at the function, Er. Hanif Lone thanked the Department Heads and staff for their cooperation and insisted on carrying forward the pace of development to achieve ease of living for the people.
He was presented with a memento by CE Er. Rafiq Ahmad Rafique and a vote of thanks was presented by AEE Mr. Aijaz Masood.

Says Prosecutrix’s Statement Can Never Be Taken As ‘Gospel Truth’

Jammu, Aug 29: A fast-track court here on Monday acquitted a man, accused of kidnapping and raping a minor girl in Jammu in 2016.

“The evidence of prosecutrix must be examined as that of an injured witness whose presence at the spot is probable but it can never be presumed that her statement should, without exception, be taken as gospel truth,” said Khalil Choudhary, Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court Jammu, while acquitting accused, Karnail Singh who according to the prosecution had enticed the girl by using Imran on 13th July 2016.

“Additionally her statement can, at best, be adjudged on the principle that ordinarily no injured witness would tell a lie or implicate a person falsely,” the court said, adding,” “It cannot be lost sight of that rape causes the greatest distrust and humiliation to the victim but at the same time a false allegation of rape can cause equal distrust, humiliation and damage to the accused as well.”

The accused, the court said, must also be protected against the possibility of false implication, particularly where a large number of accused are involved.

The court said that the testimony of victim of offence is not just to be taken on its face value but has to be considered on the broader probabilities of inspiring confidence and truthfulness.

“Therefore, on cumulative consideration of the matter in its totality having regard to the statements of witnesses would suggest that there is no concrete evidence on record connecting the accused with the commission of offence,” the court as per judgment, a copy of which lies with GNS.

The evidence of witnesses, the court said, is not corroborative, leaving doubt in the prosecution case.
“I am unhesitant to record that prosecution evidence cannot be said to definite, positive consistent and coherent so far as the case against the accused is concerned,” the court said, adding, “A clear room for doubt is left out in the prosecution evidence.”

The court said that it is not part of the duty of the accused to show as to why a false allegation has been leveled against him and why particular witnesses have deposed against him but it is bounded duty of the prosecution to establish its case against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt.

“Further it is beaten law that strong suspicion, co-incidence and grave doubt cannot take place of the legal proof,” the court said.

“Suspicion however, grave is not proof in absence of the reliable evidence and it is always unwise to act on mere suspicion. Thus prosecution case fails and accused is accordingly acquitted of the charges leveled against him,” the court said, adding, “Accused Karnail Singh son of Chet Ram resident of Bagan Kot, Tehsil Chassana, District Reasi, A/P Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu who is in custody is ordered to be released forthwith.” (GNS)

Kulgam, Aug 28: A 22-year-old youth from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Gujarat, even as his family members smell foul play and demanded an investigation into the matter on Sunday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a student identified as Sameer Ahmad Thokar (22) son of Mohammad Shafi Thokar of Nanibugh village Kulgam, who was pursuing M.Sc Zoology at Sardar Patel University in Gujarat was found hanging inside his room.

Meanwhile, the family members of Sameer alleged that their son has been murdered and demanded investigation into the matter.

Muhammad Shafi Thokar, father of deceased told KNO that his son was pursuing M.Sc Zoology at Sardar Patel University in Anand.

“My son was very intelligent and before 3 days he called me and informed that his book is going to be publish soon. We were shocked when we received a call today morning that your son has been found hanging with a fan,” he said.

Thokar said that his son was studying there for the last one and half month and was pursuing M. Sc in Zoology.

“My son was not a coward and he can’t commit suicide. This is murder as he was intelligent in every field, besides he was captain of the volley ball team in the university,” he said.

The family members appealed to the higher authorities to look into the matter and investigate the case thoroughly, as they smell some foul play into the death of their son—(KNO)

Srinagar, Aug 27: Continuing with its drive against school bunkers, the Srinagar district administration on Saturday raided several parks in the city to catch hold of students staying away from classes.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), this is for the umpteenth time that the district administration and police have stepped in to address the problem that stake-holders say has only worsened over time.

On Saturday, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Srinagar Haneef Balki along with Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and SHO visited various spots in Srinagar city, mostly parks where students were found roaming during school hours.

“The trend is not good at all, besides school authorities, we also appeal to parents to keep a vigil on their kids and bring in them some sense of responsibility,” ADC Srinagar said.

He said they visited various spots where students from colleges and schools were passing their time during school hours.

An official said not only boys but girls in equal number were roaming in parks and other river side areas and had bunked their classes.

“The situation is going from bad to worse as the students are seen freely bunking their schools. It seems that either there is no accountability in schools or the parents do not remain watchful of the situation as well,” the official said.

Notably the team of officers visited various spots which are considered as heaven for drug addicts and found students roaming freely.

“Some students tried to flee from the spot but some were caught and counseled as well. We have to make students understand that they should not waste their time at this crucial juncture,” the official said.

Over the past many years it has been observed that students in their uniform are seen roaming idle or sitting in groups inside the Jhelum View Park, Poloview Park, and playgrounds near polo view during school hours.

“It seems that school authorities do not pay any heed to their absence from classes. Students have become habitual of spending their entire day in these parks,” said a passerby.

The schools in the past would rusticate the students who would not attend their classes for seven consecutive days. But the practice was later stopped for unknown reasons.

Students including girls roaming in parks and other resting spots during school hours have raised concern among stakeholders who demand that school authorities and the administration besides the parents should collectively play a role to stop the nuisance.

“A proper attendance monitoring system should be introduced in schools which will curb this bad practice,” a school teacher said.

Meanwhile, ADC Srinagar said the drive against school bunkers will continue to curb the menace.

“The schools should also take some measures in this regard and parents should also play their role to end this menace,” he said—(KNO)

‘39 foreshocks witnessed in surrounding areas of Doda in 2013, but no major earthquake occurred; no need to panic, rather people should make themselves aware’

Srinagar, Aug 27: Stating that there was nothing to worry over the frequent earthquakes in Jammu and Kashmir, the experts here on Saturday said that no one can predict the timing and intensity of the earthquake.

Professor Shakeel Ahmad Romoshoo, a Geologist, who is current Vice Chancellor of Islamic University of Sciences and Technology (IUST), while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that there is no mechanism available to predict the position, magnitude or timing of the earthquake.

“The places where back to back earthquakes are being reported in the past 6-7 days have also witnessed 39 back to back foreshocks in the year 2013 and even one among them was measuring 6, but there was no major earthquake then after,” Romshoo said.

He further added that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are very vulnerable from an earthquake point of view, but it is not possible that foreshocks will lead to a major earthquake.

However, he said that keeping in view the vulnerable area from an earthquake point of view, the people should take long term measures like houses, schools, hospitals and other places should be made earthquake resistant for which everybody has to play a role.

Assistant Professor, Rakesh Chandra, who currently works at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, said that it is a fact that a lot of energy is accumulated below the Kashmir Himalayas, which is the outcome of Kangra earthquake in 1905 and Muzaffarabad earthquake in 2007. “The energy below Kashmir Himalayas will get released through earthquakes only, but no one can predict the timing and intensity of the earthquake.

“There are chances of energy release through earthquake, but it can be low intensity or major also, which is a natural process, whatever it is inside, it has to come out,” he said, adding that nobody can predict when the earthquake is going to occur.

About the frequent earthquakes, he said that it is good that the energy is released without any harm to the property as well as the life. “Instead of having major earthquakes, it is better to witness low intensity jolts for the release of energy. There is nothing to worry about earthquakes, it is a natural phenomena. I just want to appeal people that they should get aware about the earthquake rather to be panic,” he said—(KNO)

Budgam, Aug 27: Unknown persons on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday looted cash from non-local labourers, who were putting up at a rented shop in Batpora village of Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam.

While talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) they alleged that they were sleeping at their rented shop when four unknown persons turned up and beat them up and later ran away with Rs 15, 000 cash.

They also alleged that a cellphone was also snatched from them, however, in the morning when they returned from a nearby police after registering a complaint, the cellphone was recovered outside their shop.

Meanwhile, they demanded action against the persons involved in the incident—(KNO)

Kashmir witnesses male baby boom in past 3 years Valley’s lone maternity hospital records 34,500 male births, 31500 female births since 2019, say officials

Srinagar, Aug 26: In last three years, around three thousand more male baby births have been reported at Lal Ded Hospital, Kashmir’s lone tertiary care maternity hospital in Srinagar.

Top health officials while talking to news agency—Kashmir  News Observer (KNO), said that around 34,500 male baby births were reported at LD hospital in last three years while as the number of female baby births in same period was around 31,500

They said that in year 2019-20 the number of male births at the hospital was around 12,000, however, in same period the number of female baby births were around 11,000.

“In year 2020-21 the number of male births at the hospital was around 11,000, however, in same period the number of female baby births were around 10,000,” the officials said. “In year 2020-21 the number of male births at the hospital was around 11,500, however, in same period the number of female baby births were around 10,500.”

Notably , the data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NHFS-5), released by the Union health ministry has revealed that sex ratio at birth for children born in the last five years (females per 1,000 males) has increased from 923 in 2015-2016 to 976 in 2019-2020.

It also revealed that more than half of the population consider two or fewer children to be the ideal size of the family in J&K and there is a strong preference for sons in J&K and just seven percent of couples prefer more daughters than sons.

There is a strong preference for sons as 23 percent of women and 25 percent of men want more sons than daughters, but only 7 percent of women and men want more daughters than sons.

“However, over four-fifths of women (84-87%) and men (87-89%) would like to have at least one son and at least one daughter,” it added.

“Women’s desire for more children is strongly affected by their current number of sons. For example, among women with two children, about 65 percent with 1 son want no more children, compared with 38 percent with two daughters who want no more children,” it said.

The proportion of currently married women and men with two children who want no more children irrespective of their number of sons has been decreased to 60 percent in NFHS -5 from 69 percent in NFHS-4, and for men, it has decreased to 51 percent in NFHS-5 from 65 percent in NFHS-4, it added—(KNO)

Srinagar, Aug 26: Chairperson of district development council Baramulla Safina Baig was Thursday elected as head of Jammu & Kashmir Haj Committee after her name was proposed and seconded by two other members of the panel who are affiliated with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Sources told news agency that Safina Baig was elected as chairman of the Haj committee after her name was proposed by former MP Choudhary Talib Hussain. “Her name was seconded by Muhammad Rafiq Chashti (district president BJP Poonch),” they said.

During the meeting, according to sources, the name of member parliament Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi was proposed by Molvi Muhammad Ashraf, but it was seconded none.

“Syed Mohd Rafiq, who is also a member of the panel, was not present during the proceedings,” they said.

It is worthwhile to mention that Safina Baig had started her political career from the Peoples Democratic Party. She had joined the Peoples Conference in 2021 but later she maintained that she was independent and would remain as an independent candidate—(KNO)