Category: Union Territory

Jal Shakti Deptt constructs wall across stream to stop flow of water

Srinagar: South Asia’s largest fish farm in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area is under threat as Jal Shakti Department is constructing a barrier across the stream at source which according to the fishers department will stop the water flow.
Known for its natural beauty, Kashmir has the distinction of having Asia’s largest fisheries farm in Kokernag.

The farm is emerging best producer of Rainbow Trout fish across the world.

However, Jal Shakti Department, which was earlier known as Public Health Engineering Department is constructing a concrete barrier across the stream at source which will stop the water.

Director Fisheries Department Kashmir has written a letter to Principal Secretary Department of Fisheries, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) says, “Jal Shakti Department is tapping the water of Kokernag Spring and is executing a concrete barrier across the stream at source and this barrier will completely stop the water flow particularly during lean period. Despite repeated requests and on spot inspection of a team of officers, no heed is being paid by the Jal Shakti Department and the Department is hell bent upon to raise the barrier and lay water supply pipes of different capacities from 6″ to 18″ to supply the water to the public.”

In 1996, the Governor of the erstwhile state during a board meeting of district Anantnag took a decision that the spring at Kokernag shall not be tapped by PHE Department as the same is being used for Development of Fisheries at Trout Fish Farming Project Kokernag.

“Not taking the cognizance of the decision of the highest institution, the Department of PHE has laid pipes from time to time forcibly by taking the support of the general public on the pretext of supplying drinking water,” the letter reads.

The Fisheries Department set up a trout farming project at Kokernag in south Kashmir with the European Economic Community’s assistance in 1984.

The project in the course of time has achieved its goal and presently the said project is catering the Trout seed requirement of more than 500 private farmers and will be in a position to cater all such entrepreneurs,- established in future.

The Director says this tapping of water will not only close the activity of the Fisheries Department but this water is also used for other sectors like agriculture, horticulture, vegetable farming and other cultural practices.

“The blockage of the stream will affect thousands of hectares of irrigated land thus the primary sector will be affected badly. Secondly the said AEE directed this Department to look for an alternate source for the Trout Project which is not possible at all. However, the Jal Shakti Department has all possible means of tapping the water from other sources like the Bringhi Stream or by way of bore wells or tapping water at tail end of the project,” it reads.

DC Anantnag did not respond to repeated phone calls. However, ADC Anantnag said the Fisheries Department should raise this issue with the government.

The concerned Executive engineer Siraj Ahmad said that the fisheries department has already agreed to the memorandum of understanding in this regard. “I assure that there will be no harm to the fish farm, and even in the recent meeting with DC sahab we discussed the issue and convinced fisheries department officials that no harm will be done to the fish farm,” he told KINS. (KINS)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government withdraws the requirement of obtaining a No Objection Certificate for land acquisition/ requisition in favor of armed forces (Army/BSF/CRPF) and other organizations from the Home Department.

The order copy which lies with Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) reads, “In view of the extension of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition. Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Circular No Rev(LB) 71/13-A dated 27 08 1971 which prescribed obtaining of No Objection Certificate from the Home Department for Acquisition/Requisition of land in favour of Army. BSF/CRPF and similar organizations are hereby withdrawn”.

“All the Collectors Land Acquisition designated under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the Competent Authority Land Acquisition (CALA) authorized under the National Highway Act, 1956 shall process the cases of Land Acquisition/ Requisition strictly in accordance with the provisions of these two Acts and ti ie Rules made thereunder henceforth.

This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority,” the order copy reads. (KINS)

PTI

Srinagar: A narco-terror module was busted on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district with the arrest of three persons and seizure of 10 kgs of brown sugar along with arms and ammunition, police said.

During checking at the Sadhana pass top, security forces recovered some drugs and arms and ammunition from two vehicles, a police official said.

Three persons were arrested and the two vehicles were seized, he said, adding that a narco-terror module was busted.

Ten kgs of brown sugar, an AK rifle, four AK magazines, 76 rounds of AK ammunition, two pistols, 90 pistol rounds and 20 grenades were seized, the official said.

The three persons are in police custody and a probe has been initiated, he said.

The official said more arrests are expected in the case.

Srinagar: Ten more people lost their battle with COVID-19 on Sunday in J&K, taking the total number of people who died of the dreaded virus so far to 311 in the UT.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that ten persons who died include a 58-year-old cop from Kupwara, an 80-year-old man from Beerwah Budgam, a 68-year-old male from Safa Kadal Srinagar, a 65-year-old-male from Pulwama, a 64-year old male from Rangreth Srinagar, a 75-year-old man from Karan Bagh Jammu, a 70-year-old male from Basant Bagh Srinagar, a 65-year-old male from Pulwama, a 48-year-old lady from Nowhere Srinagar and a 59-year-old male from Kupwara. There is no letup in Covid related deaths despite the fact that entire Valley is under tight lockdown since July 22.

An official from CD hospital Srinagar said that a 58-year-old police official from Kupwara who was suffering from pneumonia, hypertension and diabetes died on Sunday morning.

He added that an 80-year-old man from Beerwah Budgam who was admitted on 18 July with multiple ailments died on Sunday.

The official further said that a 65-year-old patient from Pulwama was admitted on 22 July while as a 68-year-old male from Safa Kadal Srinagar was admitted days before, who were suffering from multiple ailments died on Sunday.

“A 64-year-old patient from Rangreth Srinagar with pneumonia and other ailments died hours after being referred from SMHS to CD hospital,” he said.

A health official from CD hospital Jammu said that a 70-year-old female from Karan Bagh Jammu who was admitted on 24 July with hypertension, diabetes and other ailments died on 26 July at a 12:30 am.

An official from SMHS said that a 70-year old male from Basant Bagh Srinagar who was suffering from pneumonia and admitted on 25 July died on Sunday.

He further added that a 65-year-old male from Pulwama who was suffering from hypertension, diabetes and bilateral pneumonia and admitted on 23 July died on Sunday.

An official from SKIMS told KNO that a 48-year-old woman from Nowshera Srinagar who was admitted on 14 July with multiple ailments died on Sunday.

He further added that a 59-year-old man from Kupwara who was admitted on 21 July with underlying medical conditions died on Sunday.

With ten more deaths, the toll of deaths related to COVID-19 has reached to 318 which include 295 from Kashmir division and 23 from Jammu—(KNO)

During the harsh Delhi winters, Parmeshwar woke up at 4am and walked for half an hour to reach his place of work. His strenuous work then continued for 2.5 hours washing around 10-15 cars.

Parmeshwar made Rs 3,000 a month from washing cars with which he paid for his uniform and books

NDTV

New Delhi: Nine people crammed in 2 rooms in a tightly packed Delhi slum trying to make ends meet was the reality of Parmeshwar’s life. Yet, the 17-year-old overcame great hardships and scored a stunning 91.7 per cent in his CBSE Class 12 examinations. His victory is a story of courage in the face of adversity.

Hunger, almost a regular guest at his Tigri slum home, had drained the teenager. He had taken up a meagre-paying job of washing cars at Khanpur since Class 10. He made Rs 3,000 a month with which he paid for his uniform and books.

Even during the harsh Delhi winters, Parmeshwar woke up at 4am and walked for half an hour to reach his place of work. His strenuous work then continued for 2.5 hours washing around 10-15 cars. He did this for six days a week.

“Waking up in the cold and working was not easy. I remember how my hands used to freeze every 5 minutes when I touched the cold water. My fingers used to become numb,” says Parmeshwar.

“People also used to scold me and for a few hundred bucks we had to bear all the humiliation,” the despondent teen says.

And yet he went on. The teenager says he needed this job to support his education. His 62-year-old father is a heart patient and his brothers have unstable jobs with families to look after.

“I cannot burden them,” Parmeshwar adds.

His hurdles didn’t end there. In March, his father had a surgery. Parmeshwar was at the hospital with his father from where he prepared for his Hindi examination.

During this difficult time, Asha Society, an NGO, ensured all the help they could provide to Parmeshwar. They helped with sample papers and also helped him apply online for an English Honours course at Delhi University.

The bright student says he wants to become a teacher in the future.

“I want to gain so much of knowledge that I can help others as well. There are many who have no resources to study or take tuitions…” he says.

His family says they have high hopes from him and would support him in his journey.

With input from NDTV

Bodies of all five family members including two children recovered from Ramnagar stream

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir police Sunday recovered all the five bodies of a single family at Ramnagar area of Jammu region.

Police said that based on the complaint of one Bhagat Ram R/O Janderari, Ramnagar that his son namely Mohan Lal S/O Bhagat Ram R/O Janderari, Ramnagar along with wife and three children were missing since July 20 while they were travelling in their car from Langa, Ramnagar to Udhampur, a missing report and subsequently a Case FIR No. 83/2020 U/S 279/304 A IPC was lodged in the records of PS Ramnagar and search began.

A police statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that on the same day, a search operation was launched by the  Police team from police station Ramnagar headed by Garu Ram SDPO Ramnagar and Sub inspector Jaswinder Singh, SHO PS Ramnagar and the body of one of the family member identified as Mohan Lal S/O Bhagat Ram was recovered from the Kaghote Nallah at Ramnagar.

However, the search of the remaining four members of the family including wife of Mohan Lal and his three children continued who were feared to have been washed away in the Nallah. “Special team had also been called for the search,” the police statement said.

More than two days after family went missing in Ramnagar, investigations revealed that on July 23, their Alto Car that had fallen into the Kaghote Nallah. “The body of Pooja, 8, was recovered from the Nallah,” the police said, adding that the body of son was also found in the Kaghote Nallah and has been identified as 4-year-old Naksh.”

Police team alongwith SDRF team recovered two more dead bodies who were missing after the car fell into the Nallah.  “On Sunday morning, two bodies were recovered—one from Kishanpur Manwal and second from Doha area of Jhajjar Kotli  which was 50-55 kms away from the incident spot,” the police said adding that the deceased were identified as Rekha Devi W/O Mohan and Mahesh S/O Mohan Lal R/O Janderari, Ramnagar

Police said that the sustained efforts Udhampur police succeeded and all the five bodies were recovered. “We urge people to drive carefully on roads,” the police said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Police claimed to have busted a LeT hideout in Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday.

In a statement to media, the police said that, based on specific information regarding presence of LET militants in orchards of Dachoo zainpora , Shopian police along with 44 RR and 178 BN CRPF launched a search operation during early morning hours and during search one sloping hideout of the LeT militants was busted and subsequently destroyed.

The huge quantity of ammunition like 02 UBGL grenades,03 Chinese grenades,one Ak47 magazine alongwith 20 AK47rounds,one radioset,eatable items etc alongwith incriminating material of banned outfit LeT has been recovered from the said destroyed hideout.

The statement further stated that the incriminating material has been taken into Police custody for investigation purpose.

Case FIR Number 99 /2020 under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Zainpora, the statement said.(GNS)

SRINAGAR: With revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status is set to complete one year, political parties have apparently maintained silence on this issue instead seeking restoration of statehood to J&K.

On last August 5, Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre abrogated Article 370, which guaranteed special status of the erstwhile state. At the same time, the Centre also bifurcated the state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

However, all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding restoration of statehood to J&K.

National Conference patron and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday called for restoration of its statehood and hoped the Supreme Court would render justice by striking down the repeal of Article 370 provisions.
He said that his party would continue to contest the changes through all democratic means.
Similarly, Bhartiya Janta Party said they would protest after August 5 for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Some people want to divide Jammu and Kashmir but we won’t let that happen. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav has said that statehood should return to Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP leaders and workers will protest for return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after August 5. We hope the government will consider it,” senior BJP leader from J&K and former MLC Sofi Yusuf told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Yusuf said BJP has been strengthening its base in Kashmir. “We are hopeful to win over 20 seats in assembly elections after delimitation,” he added.

Madhav on the question of restoring full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir has said that his party supports it. He said, “BJP’s Jammu & Kashmir unit is of the opinion that statehood should be given back when the time is favourable. We want J&K to be restored to a full state’s status. Home Minister Amit Shah himself said while granting UT status that work would be done to get full statehood back very soon. The Assembly is yet to be constituted and delimitation for UT is pending.”

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has also demanded restoration of statehood followed by assembly elections to J&K during his meeting with Prime Minister Narinder Modi on Friday evening.

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Altaf Bukhari demanded that statehood of J&K should be restored on August 5, when it was split last year into two Union Territories.

Bukhari said the party will continue its fight for the restoration of statehood which was snatched unilaterally last year by BJP government. “The special status of Jammu and Kashmir was unilaterally snatched on August 5, 2019 followed by strict curbs for months. We will not give up. JKAP will continue its fight for restoration of statehood”, he said.(KINS)

In his first media interview after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that ended the erstwhile state’s special status, Abdullah, 82, said that his party would continue to contest the changes through all democratic means.

PTI

As the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status is set to complete one year on August 5, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday called for restoration of its statehood and hoped the Supreme Court would render justice by striking down the repeal of Article 370 provisions.

In his first media interview after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that ended the erstwhile state’s special status, Abdullah, 82, said that his party would continue to contest the changes through all democratic means.

These changes were a “betrayal” of the trust reposed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir when the State acceded to the Union of India, he said.

The Centre had abrogated the special status on August 5 last year, saying Article 370 had stalled the development of Jammu and Kashmir, prevented proper education, health care and growth of industries besides not helping in curbing terrorism.

The National Conference (NC), of which Abdullah is the President, has mounted a legal challenge in the Supreme Court to the abrogation of Article 370 and carving out of two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh from the erstwhile state.

The legislation passed by Parliament and the subsequent orders issued by the President were “unconstitutional”, it has submitted in the apex court which has set up a five-member bench to hear the matter.

“As a political party it is but natural that we will keep the people informed about what we are doing to get justice. We are very clear that we do not accept the changes forced on us and will continue to oppose them,” said the veteran leader who was arrested hours before Article 370 provisions were scrapped on August 5 and spent over seven months in detention.

Abdullah, who has served three terms as the border state’s chief minister, said, “We will fight for our rights, campaign for our rights within democratic means. We have never used guns, we have never used methods which are not constitutional. We are a democratic mainstream party and will use all democratic means at our disposal.”

Describing the changes as “vishwasghat” (betrayal of trust) reposed by people of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of accession, he said, “The trust we had reposed in Delhi has come to nought.”

“There is a loss of trust and Delhi has to rebuild the trust. That trust will come only when the statehood is restored and other changes are reversed. That has to be done,” Abdullah, a sitting member of Lok Sabha, said.

“What happened is unfortunate. They (Centre) said J and K will progress once this thing (Article 370) is removed, militancy will disappear. I would like to ask those people, has militancy disappeared? It has increased rather than decreased. Any development? Zero development. Whatever we had we have lost even that,” he said.

Explaining his party’s decision to move the Supreme Court, Abdullah said, “We are seeking justice from the highest court of the land because of our faith in the judiciary. We are hopeful that justice will be rendered to us.”

He emphasised that full statehood should be restored to Jammu and Kashmir and that all other changes should be reversed. “We are looking up to the Supreme Court.”

Abdullah said people of Jammu and Kashmir had suffered for decades due to militancy before the “trauma of August 5”, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We desperately need peace but also restoration of our honour and dignity taken away without consulting the people most affected by the drastic changes,” he added.

Asked if his party would participate in elections to the Assembly likely to be held next year, the NC president said it was not for him to decide but the call would be taken by the party’s working committee. “When the situation comes, we will sit together and see what is happening.”

Abdullah was sharply critical of the new domicile laws for Jammu and Kashmir, and said the NC had always feared there would be attempts to change its demography. “Now our fears are coming true. We are going to fight it,” he added.

About the delimitation commission set up recently to re-draw the Assembly constituencies, Abdullah said the NC had boycotted it alleging that the intentions of the BJP-led government at the Centre were not good.

“The delimitation exercise was to be done in 2026 along with the rest of the country. What was the necessity of doing it now? This is where we fear that their intentions are not good,” he said.

Srinagar: Three more people lost their battle with COVID-19 on Sunday in J&K, taking the total number of people who died of the dreaded virus so to 311 in the UT.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that three persons who died include a 58-year-old cop from Kupwara, an 80-year-old man from Beerwah Budgam and a 75-year-old man from Karan Bagh Jammu.

An official from CD hospital Srinagar said that a 58-year-old police official from Kupwara who was suffering from pneumonia, hypertension and diabetes died on Sunday morning.

He further added that an 80-year-old man from Beerwah Budgam who was admitted on 18 July with multiple ailments died on Sunday.

A health official from CD hospital Jammu said that a 70-year-old female from Karan Bagh Jammu who was admitted on 24 July with hypertension, diabetes and other ailments died on 26 July at a 12:30 am.

With three more deaths, the toll of deaths related to COVID-19 has reached to 311 including 288 from Kashmir division and 23 from Jammu division—(KNO)