Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said his party will contest elections whenever they are held in Jammu and Kashmir but remained critical of the ongoing delimitation exercise.
He was speaking after the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), comprising five mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, met at his residence here to discuss the fallout of the draft recommendations of the Delimitation Commission.
“We will fight the elections, there is no doubt about it. We are not going to run away from it but these (draft recommendation of the delimitation commission) are the things which pain us,” Abdullah told reporters.
He reiterated his charge that the exercise was done to benefit the BJP with the ultimate aim of legitimising the revocation of Article 370 by the Centre in 2019.
After the meeting, PAGD spokesman M Y Tarigami said they were not against delimitation as it was due in 2026, but added the ongoing exercise is “’unconstitutional” as it is being done under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act which has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the constituent of the alliance.
“Our stand is that what happened on August 5and 6, 2019 in Parliament was unconstitutional,” Tarigami said referring to abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State into two Union territories.
Abdullah, who heads the PAGD, said the BJP was hoping that it can win the maximum number of seats in the assembly after the delimitation.
“They want to pass a resolution in the assembly that whatever they did in August 2019 has been accepted. I am sure they will then take it to the Supreme Court and say it has been done.
“Otherwise, what was the need for a Delimitation Commission here when it was agreed that the entire country would undergo the exercise in 2026? Why was Jammu and Kashmir targeted?” he said.
The former chief minister said the elections are the basis of democracy and the ‘’first thing in that democratic situation is the delimitation commission’s report’’.
“What they (delimitation commission) have done is very unfortunate… Look what they have done, one constituency I will tell you about is Anantnag. How is the member of parliament elected from Rajouri going to look after the areas on this side in Anantnag or how is the MP elected from Anantnag going to look after the areas in Poonch and Rajouri. This is just one instance,” he said.
Abdullah questioned the claims that the delimitation exercise was aimed at bringing the people together and carving out constituencies in such a manner that it’s easy for the people to have their cases projected.
“It does not seem that the Delimitation Commission has done that. It has further alienated the people,” he alleged.

Extensive damage caused to transmission lines, poles; 60 percent damage caused to power infra in Valley; Men, machinery pressed in, restoration likely by this afternoon: CE KPDCL

The overnight heavy snowfall across Kashmir has cut the power supply to majority of areas in the Valley including Srinagar as transmission lines and poles have got damaged extensively.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Engineer of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Aijaz Ahmad Dar said that at least 60 per cent damage has occurred across Kashmir due to fresh snowfall.

He said that the men and machinery has been pressed to restore the electricity. However, he said that the restoration process is likely to be completed till 02:00 PM.Dar further said that the restoration would take a bit longer in southern areas due to the huge damage by snowfall.

“We have started the restoration process and have set target to restore the electricity by 02:00 PM,” he said.Pertinently, Kashmir areas including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under darkness since this morning.Kashmir parts received fresh snowfall since late Tuesday evening, bringing down the mercury across the Valley.The fresh snowfall has also resulted in closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway and cancellation of flights to and from Srinagar international airport—(KNO)

According to the communiqué, the helpline numbers are:

Divisional Control Room Mechanical Engineering Department: 9419149538, 9469793219, 7006209053

Divisional Control Room KPDCL (PDD Department): 6006613056, 6006613057, 6006613058, 6006613059, 6006613060

Divisional Control Room PW (R&B) Department: 0194-2313751

SDRF Control Room: 1800-180-7159 (Toll Free)

NDRF Control Room: 7341128523

Divisional Control Room PHE (Jal Shakti) Department: 0194-2452047

Divisional Control Room Irrigation & Flood Control Department: 0194-2502946, 0194-2502947

Srinagar Municipal Corporation Control Room: 0194-2474499, 0194-2470465, 6006433309, 9906807794, 1800-180-7038 (Toll Free)

Divisional Control Room Urban Local Bodies Kashmir: 0194-2490757, 0194-2952350, 8803390200, 9419088961

Divisional Control Room Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Deptt: 1800-180-7011 (Toll Free)

Divisional Control Room Health Services Kashmir: 9419093475 (Assistant Director)

Divisional Police Control Room Kashmir: 0194-2506504, 0194-2506508

State Emergency Operation Centre Srinagar: 1070 (Toll free), 0194-2303399.

“SMC has initiated clearance of snow from lanes and by-lanes across the city” SMC authorities said. “MED has initiated clearance of main roads and link roads, ” SMC’s S&D Division (Dewatering Wing) has been mobilized preemptively to deal with any eventual localized water-logging.

Kashmir Valley received snowfall, leading to closure of Jammu Srinagar national highway besides delay in flights to and fro the Srinagar ‘international’ airport and suspension of Baramulla—Banihal Train train service on Wednesday.

Jammu Srinagar national highway closed for vehicular movement due to landslides/shooting stones at many places on highway and snow accumulation around the NVYUG Tunnel, traffic officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)Train service from Baramulla to Banihal has been suspended following heavy snowfall in the valley, Railway officials said.

Director Srinagar Airport told KNO that it is continuously snowing at the airport following which all flights of all airlines are delayed due to low visibility. “We are having continuous snowfall at our airport. Our Snow Clearing operations are also in continuous progress on runway and Apron.However the visibility is only 400M,” he said. He said that all the flights of all airlines are delayed. “We will continuously update the status of flights in this thread. Please standby for the next update at 0930,” he further said.

The University of Kashmir has postponed all UG/PG/Professional examinations of the University scheduled to be held on February 23, 2022 (Wednesday) in view of the inclement weather conditions.Controller of Examinations Dr Majid Zaman said fresh dates for the postponed papers will be notified separately.

“All the examinations of Cluster University Srinagar scheduled on 23rd February,2022have been postponed due to inclement weather. Fresh dates for postponed papers shallbe notified separately.” Controller of Examinations Cluster University Srinagar said. Meanwhile controller examination SKIMS also informed that all scheduled exams have been postponed and fresh dates will be notified separately. “All the Examinations of the SKIMS Medical University scheduled for today 23rd February, 2022 have been postponed due to inclement weather. Fresh dates will be notified separately.” Controller Examinations SKIMS said.The office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir today issued an official communiqué informing that a helpline has been established in the office in view of the snowfall.

According to the communiqué, the helpline numbers are Divisional Control Room Mechanical Engineering Department: 9419149538, 9469793219, 7006209053, Divisional Control Room KPDCL (PDD Department): 6006613056, 6006613057, 6006613058, 6006613059, 6006613060, Divisional Control Room PW (R&B) Department:0194-2313751, SDRF Control Room: 1800-180-7159 (Toll Free), NDRF Control Room: 7341128523, Divisional Control Room PHE (Jal Shakti) Department: 0194-2452047, Divisional Control Room Irrigation & Flood Control Department:0194-2502946, 0194-2502947, Srinagar Municipal Corporation Control Room: 0194-2474499, 0194-2470465, 6006433309, 9906807794, 1800-180-7038 (Toll Free), Divisional Control Room Urban Local Bodies Kashmir: 0194-2490757, 0194-2952350, 8803390200, 9419088961, Divisional Control Room Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Deptt:1800-180-7011 (Toll Free), Divisional Control Room Health Services Kashmir: 9419093475 (Assistant Director), Divisional Police Control Room Kashmir:0194-2506504, 0194-2506508 and State Emergency Operation Centre Srinagar: 1070 (Toll free), 0194-2303399.”SMC has initiated clearance of snow from lanes and by-lanes across the city” SMC authorities said. “MED has initiated clearance of main roads and link roads, ” SMC’s S&D Division (Dewatering Wing) has been mobilized preemptively to deal with any eventual localized water-logging.

Notably, weather man had predicted snowfall and rains in Jammu and Kashmir on February 22 and 23 and had said that the inclement weather may affect road and air traffic in the Union territory—(KNO)

Kashmir valley on Wednesday morning woke up to a heavy blanket of snowfall which has snapped power supply and blocked roads on a large scale.

Electricity and water supply were cut off in many areas of Kashmir since Wednesday morning due to heavy snowfall.

Meanwhile, efforts were underway to clear the roads across the valley.

In view of the sudden heavy overnight snowfall in the valley, the University of Kashmir has postponed all UG/PG/Professional examinations of the University scheduled to be held on 23rd February 2022.

Fresh dates for the postponed papers will be notified separately.

Further details awaited.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more overcast conditions and rain in Kashmir till March 9.

The weather system is likely to bring snow in hilly regions and light snow and rain across plains.

Futher details awaited.

“Interested in Seeing relations between India and Pakistan as good neighbourly relations and we would like to see the settlement of existing conflicts, for example, the Kashmir Issue”.

Wion

Ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia next week, Moscow has assured that the cooperation between the two countries is not aimed that any “third country”, which means India.

Khan’s visit is the first such bilateral visit by a Pakistani prime minister to Russia in decades.

Though the dates of the visit haven’t been officially announced yet, Pakistan media reports quoting diplomatic sources have confirmed that Khan is expected to visit Moscow from February 23 to 26.

In response to WION’s question at the weekly Russian foreign ministry presser, spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “I can assure you that the cooperation between Russia and Pakistan is not aimed at any third country. It is aimed at ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.”

She further said that both countries are “seeking to counter international terrorism and we seek to develop international trade”.

In 1999, the then Pakistani PM, Nawaz Sharif, visited Russia. It was followed by the visit of Pervez Musharraf in 2003, and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in 2011.

In 2017, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan went to Russia for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO) in Sochi, which wasn’t a bilateral visit.

The last formal bilateral meeting between both sides was when Sharif and President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan in June 2017.

Commenting on the India-Pakistan ties, the Russian spokesperson said that Mosco is “interested in seeing relations between India and Pakistan as good neighbourly relations and we would like to see the settlement of existing conflicts, for example, the Kashmir issue”.

Reiterating the long-standing position of Moscow, she said that all issues between the two countries should be resolved bilaterally under the Shimla and Lahore pacts.

Zakharova also welcomed the continuation of the 2003 ceasefire pact and the “statements by Pakistani leadership on normalising Indo-Pakistan ties.”

Spokesperson Maria brushed aside the view that Moscow doesn’t keep Indian sensitivities in mind in the backdrop of Imran Khan’s visit.

She said, “It is nothing to do with reality. Delhi and Moscow enjoy tight cooperation and recently we had a series of contact despite the pandemic restrictions.”

Russian President Putin visited Delhi in December 2021 for the annual India-Russia summit.

Later this year, PM Modi will be visiting the country as part of the annual summit. Other than that, both countries are engaging under the 2+2 foreign and defence ministers dialogue, the first of which took place last year.

While defence forms one of the main pillars of ties, both sides have been engaging in the economic area, Covid crisis and connectivity.

Internationally, both are members of the BRICS, SCO, RIC grouping.

The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We understand that our countries bear a huge responsibility for peace and stability in the region and the level of contact we have between our leadership, it attests to the fact that we are indeed taken into account positions of each other.”

Responding to India-Russia engagement on the Afghanistan situation, she said, “We will coordinate our joint steps in national capacity on the international arena when it comes to dealing with the crisis in the country.”

India has been part of the Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan while the Russian NSA attended the Delhi security meet involving NSAs of several countries in the region.

The NSAs meeting in Delhi saw the participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

With inputs from Wion

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ganderbal, Feb 22: A youth set himself ablaze on Tuesday during a demolition drive in Gundrahman in Ganderbal district.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that during the demolition of complex at Gundrahman a youth identified as Amir Ahmad Shah, son of Abul Hameed Shah of Harran sustained burn injuries after he set himself ablaze.

He said that the injured youth was reffered to SKIMS Soura for treatment.

Officials said that the person burnt himself when a demolition drive was being conducted and the officials tried to demolish his newly constructed complex constructed on government land.

Pertinently, Tehsildar Ganderbal along with Municipal Council has launched a demolition campaign against illegal encroachments at Gundrahman.

During the demolition owner of Complex Abul Hamid Shah, son of Ghulam Ahmad of Harran tried to stoping demolition along with family members and relatives by pelting stones towards the party, officials said.

The officials said that the son of owner Aamir Ahmad Shah tried to burn himself with kerosene or petrol and got injured following which he was shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment.

The officials said that the demolition drive has been stopped as of now

Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr. Farooq Jan when contacted didn’t divulge anything with regard to the health condition of the injured youth.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement to KNO said that during a demolition drive undertaken by Irrigation and Flood Control department over the banks of Nalla Sindh, one person identified as Amir Hamid Shah, son of Nazir Ahmad Shah of Haran Ganderbal suddenly appeared from behind the illegal structure and self immolated on its roof in protest against demolition of illegal structure raised on the banks of Nalla Sindh.

“The said person was however, rescued by SHO Ganderbal and locals on spot, however, he received burn injuries before flames were doused and was shifted to hospital.”

He said that a deep trench was dug by the owners of structure to prevent any ingress into the premises which prevented a prompt rescue.

Meanwhile, police has rendered all help and support in the hospitalisation and assured family members for best medical treatment.

“One police team is already there in hospital and facilitating his treatment.”

Moreover, Police appealed to media fraternity and general public not to circulate the video of unfortunate incident which is too graphic for the common people—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 20: ‘Dangal’ famed former film actress Zaira Wasim while reacting over ‘Hijab’ row said that ‘Hijab’ is not a choice but an obligation in Islam.

Zaira Wasim took to social media and wrote that as a hijab-wearing woman, she resents this “entire system where women are being stopped and harassed for merely carrying out a religious commitment.”

“The inherited notion of hijab being a choice is an ill-informed one,” Zaira wrote on Facebook and pasted the same on Twitter.

“It’s often either a construct of convenience or ignorance. Hijab isn’t a choice but an obligation in Islam. Likewise, a woman who wears the hijab is fulfilling an obligation enjoined upon her by the God she loves and has submitted herself to. I, as a woman who wears the hijab, with gratitude and humility, resent and resist this entire system where women are being stopped and harassed for merely carrying out a religious commitment.”

She added, “Stacking this bias against Muslim women and setting up systems where they should have to decide between education and hijab or to give up either is an absolute injustice. You’re attempting to compel them to make a very specific choice that feeds your agenda and then criticizing them while they’re imprisoned in what you’ve constructed. There is no other option to encourage them to choose differently. What is this if not a bias with people who confirm it acting in support of it? On top of all this, building a facade that all this is being done in the name of empowerment is even worse when it is quite exactly the opposite of that. Sad” (KNT)