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Srinagar: A Jammu & Kashmir court on Friday sentenced a man to six months imprisonment for carrying out illegal modification including including high car siren to his Mahindra Thar vehicle in contravention of Section 52 of Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 (MV Act) UT of Jammu & Kashmir V/s Adil Farooq Bhat.

The violator Adil Farooq Bhat was later given the benefit of probation under the Probation of offenders Act subject to him executing a bond to the tune of ₹2 lakh for keeping peace and good behavior for a period of two years.

The judgment was passed after the violator appeared before the court and pleaded guilty for modifying/altering the vehicle in question from its original condition, as specified in the registration certificate (RC) of the vehicle.

Since the offence does not involve any moral turpitude and the violator has not been previously convicted and having regard to his age and antecedents the purpose of the justice shall be served if the case is considered under probation of offenders Act, and accused is given benefit of probation. Therefore, the accused is directed to execute a bond to the tune of Rs 2 lakh for keeping peace and good behavior for the period of two years,” the judgment said.

In violation of any condition of bond during the period of two years the accused shall receive the proposed sentence, the Court added.

The judgment was passed by Additional Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Srinagar Shabir Ahmad Malik who also directed RTO Srinagar to remove all the modifications and restore the vehicle to its original state.

The RTO Kashmir at Srinagar is directed to remove the car siren and all the modifications those were done in contravention to the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act and the rules made thereunder and restore the vehicle (Thar) to its original position as specified in the Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle”, the judgment said.

The equipment/ fittings so removed should be returned to the violator against proper receipt and the cost of removing the modifications as well as restoring the vehicle to its original position shall be recovered from the violator, the Court added.

The entire incident shall be videographed and the same shall be submitted before the court, the judgment further directed.

The Court also ordered Additional Director General of Police, Traffic (J&K) to take strict action against those who have modified vehicles in contravention of law.

“As per section 52 of MV Act, no motor vehicle shall be modified or altered from its original position in contravention to the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act and without the permission from the concerned authority,” the Court underlined.

The Court also explained the reasons why people carry out such modifications.

“There are mainly two reasons why people violate these rules; one, lack of awareness and second, no strict action against the violators, therefore it is imperative to educate the people on the subject and simultaneously strict action as warranted under law must be taken against the violators,” the Court said. (Bar and Bench)

Srinagar, Nov 19: Jammu and Kashmir Police have raided 10 locations in Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Kashmir valley in connection with investigation of a case related to recent threats to journalists, police said.

Reliable Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that in Srinagar searches are being carried out in the house of Gowhar Geelani son Nazir Ahmad Shah, a resident of Nowshera and Sajad Ahmad Sheikh @Sajad Gul son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Rose Avenue colony at HMT and the residence of Momin Gulzar (active militant) at Firdous Colony Eidgah is also being searched 

Massive searches are being carried out at the residence of Journalist Waseem Raja son of Raja Abdul Khalid, a resident of Chinar colony Rangreth in Srinagar. Another raid is going on at the residence of Sajad Ahmad Kralyari son of Abdul Majeed , a resident of Pandithpora Kralyar Rainawari.

In Srinagar’s Nowgam, Police party from Srinagar police raided the residence of Mukhtar Ahmad Baba son of Mohammad Yaseen Baba at Sheikhul Alam Colony. Residence of Abu Aadil Pandith son of Abdullah Pandith, a resident of Nowpora Khanyar who is an advocate by profession is also being searched by the police.

Another team of police raided the residence of journalist Hakim Rashid Maqbool son of Mohammad Maqbool Razvi, a resident of Adaalat masjid Madeen Sahib Hawal.

In Anantnag, police raided the joint residence of Qazi Yasir and Journalist Qazi Shubli (The Kashmiriyat).

The searches are also being carried out at the residence of Khalid Gul who was earlier associated with Greater Kashmir. 

Kashmir police zone twitter said “Massive searches in connection with investigation of case related to recent threats to journalists started by Police at 10 locations in Srinagar, Anantnag and Kulgam. Details shall be followed.”

Earlier, Srinagar police in a tweet said “Case registered against handlers, active terrorists & OGWs of terror outfit LeT & its offshoot TRF for online publication & dissemination of a direct threat letter to journalists & reporters based in Kashmir. FIR No. 82/2022 U/S 13 UAPA, 505, 153B, 124A & 506 IPC in Shergari PS. (KDC)

(Story will be updated )

Srinagar, Nov 19: Meteorological department here on Saturday forecast isolated to scattered light rain and snow in Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours.

An official of the weather department here told GNS that mainly dry weather was expected thereafter till November 26. The MeT office has already ruled out the possibility of major snowfall till the end of this month.

Regarding the temperature, the MeT official said, Srinagar recorded a low of 2.2°C against 0.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal for the summer capital during this time of the year, he said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 1.8°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.0°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 1.3°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C above normal for the south Kashmir resort, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 2.8°C against 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.2°C above normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.5°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official told GNS. It was normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official said.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 1.8°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.0°C above normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 11.7°C against 10.0°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 3.8°C (0.8°C above normal), Batote 5.2°C (0.1°C below normal), Katra 10.2°C (0.3°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 3.4°C (7.1°C below normal).

In Ladakh, Kargil recorded a low of minus 4.6°C, Leh minus 10.1°C and mercury in Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, settled at minus 7.1°C, the official said. (GNS)

Kupwara: An uncle-nephew duo was rescued from a well after a tedious rescue operation, which spanned for over ten hours, at Chak-e-Hatmulla in Nagri area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

A joint operation was launched by police, army, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Department and locals soon after news about the trapping of a boy and an another person in a well, spread.

A local source earlier told GNS that a minor boy namely Firdous Ahmad Mir, son of Nazir Ahmed Mir fell into a well, while he had gone to fetch a cricket ball. “Soon as the news spread, his uncle Mohammad Shafi Mir son of Abdul Aziz Mir, went inside the well to save him, however instead of saving him he too got trapped as a mudslide occurred in the meantime”, the sources said.

The news soon spread to nuke and cranny with people from different areas gathering at the spot, who made frantic efforts to save them. However the efforts didn’t yielded much even as the district administration had to rope in various agencies to evacuate the duo.

The rescue operation kept on getting hampered as the caved in well witnessed more frequent erosions throughout.

Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Doifode Sagar Dattatray, who himself supervised the operation towards its conclusion, earlier talking to GNS termed the operation sensitive and tough of its kind. He said that men and machinery which included four JCBs were moved within ten minutes of the incident, with three ambulances and a team of doctors also kept on standby.

Tehsildar, DySP Headquarters, SHO and other functionaries also oversaw the rescue operation till its conclusion at around 2:06 AM.

“Soon after evacuation, the duo was removed to SDH Kupwara for immediate treatment”, said few locals.

“We are uncertain as what will happen, but do hope that both of them survive”, they said adding “we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattaray and other people who remained present here throughout.”

Such procedures have multiple benefits: Dr Lizza

Pulwama, Nov 18: For the very first time, Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) was conducted at district hospital Pulwama.

The procedure was conducted by Dr Lizza (Consultant Gynaecologist) at District Hospital Pulwama and was assisted by Dr Shakeel a general surgeon and anesthesia team lead by Dr M Y Tak, Dr Iffat, Dr Wajahat, Bashir Ahmad and Mehraj Ahmad (OT technicians).

Dr Lizza while talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that patient from Rahmoo, Pulwama, who was about 50 years-old, presented with genital prolapse and the patient was planned for LAVH (laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy) which is an operation to remove the uterus and cervix through the vagina, with the aid of a small operating telescope called the laparoscope.

“This procedure was first of its kind ever done is a peripheral hospital,” she said. “

This was the first advanced minimal access surgery done in district hospital Pulwama and such procedures have multiple benefits for the patients.”

She added that such procedures have very less recovery time and the patient is up and above soon as compared to open procedures.

Notably, Dr Lizza is the one who has started Laparoscopic procedures and other major surgeries at District hospital on routine basis so that people are not forced to visit LD hospital.

Our hospital possesses very advanced equipment and it is our duty to make use of them for the benefits of patients so that there will be less burden on already overburdened LD hospital, Dr Lizza said—(KNO)

Dr Sahab won’t contest polls anymore: Tanvir Sadiq; Party fixes Dec 5 for Prez polls; Dr Farooq says will continue to head party till elections; Party leaders say Omar front runner for new chief’s post, but it can be anyone else too; Time to infuse new energy into party, will continue to benefit from Dr Sahab’s experience: NC leaders

Srinagar, Nov 18: National Conference Friday hinted that its incumbent chief and J&K’s senior most politician Dr Farooq Abdullah may take rest from politics and the new chief would lead the flock from December 5 this year, the day when the party will hold presidential polls.

The party in its poll notification has choosen December 5, the birth anniversary of its patriarch and founder late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, for electing new chief. Dr Farooq, however, will continue to remain the NC president till the new chief is elected by the delegates on December 5. “I haven’t stepped down yet. I will remain the NC chief till elections for the post of president are held,” the octogenarian leader told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), over phone. Dr Farooq was reacting to media reports suggesting that he has already stepped down as the NC chief.

As J&K has witnessed change in the political turf vis-à-vis politics post article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019, NC insiders said that party leadership from top to bottom felt the need to infuse new energy into the UT’s oldest party. “There was a yearning that the party needs to make some changes in the leadership and also at the lower and middle-rung level, so steps are afoot and electing a new president is part of the same rejuvenation process,” said one of the old guards of NC, wishing not to be named. He, however, said that the party will continue to benefit from “Dr Sahab’s decade’s old political career and his vast experience.” “In simple words, he will continue to guide us and we will continue to benefit from his political experience. Electing a new chief doesn’t mean, Dr Sahab will fly to London and settle there….,” he said.

NC Chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq told KNO that Dr Farooq will not contest upcoming Assembly polls. “This is what Dr Farooq sahab feels about elections…… Let’s see what happens in the future,” he said. “Let elections take place on December 5, and we will have a new party chief. Party delegates will choose the new president.”

Interestingly, the party recently announced the names of constituency incharge for Kashmir in a bid to raise the morale of party cadre across the Valley. The new constituency heads are frequenting their areas and meeting people to gauge the ground situation, take feedback from workers and to formulate “a new strategy on the feedback received from ground zero.”

“The party is not in a sleeping mode and rather we are in touch with our workers. There is no denying the fact that post abrogation of article 370, the political atmosphere has changed and we being the oldest party, are seeking suggestions from our workers both old and new,” said a newly nominated constituency in charge of the party, wishing not to be named.

To a query whether Omar was set to take the control and lead the flock after December 5, he said the majority of the leaders in the party will obviously vote for Omar but “you never know….” “NC believes in democracy… May be someone else may emerge victorious as party chief….”

Party sources said that the name of new party chief will be announced by Dr Farooq himself at the mausoleum of the party founder Sheikh Abdullah at Hazratbal, Srinagar on December 05—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 18: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar has expressed serious concern that even today, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, could not go to the historic central Jama Masjid Srinagar to offer Friday prayers due to his continued house detention for the last more than three years, saying that the valley’s top-most religious leader is not being allowed to perform his religious duties.

The Anjuman Auqaf in a statement expressed strong resentment against the undue restrictions imposed on Mirwaiz, and condemned such dictatorial behavior of authorities, terming it extremely unfortunate.

Due to the continued detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, the ‘minbar and mihrab’ of the historic grand mosque are silent as Jama Masjid Srinagar is the centre of spirituality and reformation for Muslims in the valley.

The Anjuman Auqaf said that a large number of people from the nook and corner of the valley who come to Jama Masjid Srinagar continue to face severe disappointment due to the absence of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir here. Their sentiments are being hurt and they consider the continued house arrest of their beloved leader as a sheer interference in religion.

The people from all walks of life continue to demand the release of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 18:  Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday has warned of possible triple virus threat this winter.

“We could be facing a triple virus whammy of Covid, Flu and RSV this winter,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“All three of these viruses are expected to go up as we get into the cold season,” he said.

“The season is already off to a rough start with respiratory illnesses spiking across Kashmir valley.”

Dr Hassan said flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are not new. We see them every year during winter months. RSV particularly affects young children.

But in the last two seasons people were hardly exposed to these viruses because of Covid precautions like masking and social distancing,” he said

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

The DAK President said in typical years a good percentage of the population gets infected with these viruses and builds immunity against the infections.

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

Dr Nisar said pandemic has added another virus to the season mix.

While Covid-19 has leveled off, but like other respiratory viruses, we could see uptick in winter.

“In the face of possible triple virus threat, people should get flu shot and Covid booster.

And, taking common sense precautions, such as staying home when sick and maintaining personal hygiene, can also help keep everyone healthy and prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed,” he said.

Scammers try to lure unsuspecting victims

Many users have been receiving messages on WhatsApp and via SMS from unknown numbers which claim that the user’s electricity connections will be disconnected unless they contact a certain number. “I received a SMS on November 17, that my Electricity Power will be disconnected as last month Bill was not paid, since new digital electricity meters have been installed initially I thought may be due to some glitch in PDD Department we are having this issue.” said a user to Kashmir Today.

“So I checked the JKPDD Bill Sahuliyat App, where I usually pay my electricity bills. But all the dues were paid. That is when I suspected it was a scam,” consumer added.

Meanwhile, The J&K Power Development Department has already issued an advisory, warning consumers against fraudulent billing messages

“Unless a communication contains your Consumer Name and ID, please do not respond, ” the JKPDD said in a statement.

JKPDD consumers are requested to be aware of this SMS that scammers are floating to the masses.
Unless a communication contains your Consumer Name and ID, please do not respond. pic.twitter.com/WqfEz2Efed

— JKPDD IT&C Division Kashmir (@itpdd_kashmir) June 21, 2022