Srinagar Sep 06: In a major concern, the concentration of harmful substances like nitrate, phosphates, and chlorides have increased significantly in Dal lake in the last 25 years.
This has been stated in a recent study titled “The changing water quality of lakes—a case study of Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley,” which was published by environmental monitoring and assessment journal in 2022.
The study has found that the concentration of harmful substances like phosphates, chlorides, and nitrates has increased tremendously over the last 25 years.
“Concentration of total phosphorus has increased from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/l in 1997 to about 6 mg/l in 2017. Similarly, chlorides have shown a steep increase from 2–2.7 mg/l 329 in 2007 to 10.3 mg/l in 2017. Other elements like calcium and magnesium, have also witnessed an increasing trend in the lake,” it says.
The study has found that dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, on the other hand, have shown significant decline. “Annual DO values of the lake have decreased from 7.4 mg/l in 1997 to 6.9 mg/l in 2017,” it says.
DO is the amount of oxygen present in water. It is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms.
It has witnessed extreme loss in water quality during the last four decades because of human activities.
Javeed Ahmad, an environment researcher said there are various factors which have affected the lake water quality.
“There is an urgent need to address the problems associated with lake restoration, management, and conservation by both authorities and the local population,” he told news agency KINS.
Srinagar Sep 06: As Jammu and Kashmir is prone to disasters, at least 150 earthquakes have hit the Union Territory in the last 10 years.
There have been frequent earthquakes for the last four days. At least 11 tremors have been felt in Jammu and Kashmir for the last four days which has created a fear among people.
As per official figures, over 150 earthquakes hit Jammu and Kashmir for the last 10 years. However, most of them had been less than 5 magnitude.
Most parts of Jammu and Kashmir come under Seismic Zone V and are prone to earthquakes. Experts give varied reasons for earthquakes in J&K including various faults run through Kashmir and exploding of gases.
Jammu and Kashmir valley is vulnerable to disasters. At least 13 districts out of 100 districts in India have been identified as ‘multi hazard districts’ in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, most parts of Kashmir covering the districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag and parts of Jammu region, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar come under Seismic Zone V and are prone to earthquakes. While the rest of the J&K comes under Seismic Zone IV.
A researcher of Earth Sciences Mohammad Shahid said frequent earthquakes have proved that people and the government should be well prepared in dealing with such incidents.
He said most of the earthquakes that hit J&K had their origin in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan. “The aftershocks of big earthquakes are less than 4 magnitude,” he said.
“We need to take some measures like building earthquake resistant constructions,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He said people should be well prepared for earthquakes.
Director Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus said J&K falls in the seismic zone of IV and V and people should be well prepared for earthquakes. “We can’t predict the timing, magnitude and place of an earthquake but we should be well prepared in dealing with any such natural disaster,” he added. (KINS)
Sopore, Sept 04: In a first, security forces on Sunday claimed to have recovered magnetic improvised devices in Sopore village in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that a suspect namely Saqib Shakeel Dar was apprehended with war like stores in a joint operation by security forces on Friday based on a specific tip off in Shangargund village of Sopore.
The statement reads that during spot interrogation, he admitted to having hidden Magnetic IEDs in the Chak Barat Orchards, following which forces launched a search in the orchard and recovered three IEDs and seven detonators.
It reads that the magnetic IEDs are small but powerful bombs with high blast impact, affixed to vehicles, capable of causing serious damage and killing passengers.
“Easily portable, they enable specific targeting of VIPs and innocent passengers, avoiding existing detection measures by security forces and have been, of late, employed by militants across the globe,” it added—(KNO)
Budaun (UP): A plea has been in a court here claiming that Jama Masjid Shamsi in Badaun city is a temple of Lord Shiva and seeking permission for followers of the Sanatan Dharma to offer prayers at the site, a lawyer for the petitioners said on Saturday. A separate application has been filed in the matter urging the court to appoint a commission for a survey of the site. Civil judge (senior division) Vijay Gupta took up the matter on Friday and directed the Intezamia Committee managing the Shamsi Jama Masjid to present its side on September 15, when the court will next hear the matter. Ved Prakash Sahu, an advocate for the petitioners, said the plea contends that the building is not of Jama Masjid, but an ancient Ishaan mandir of Neelkanth Mahadev Maharaj. The petitioners are the state convenor of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Mukesh Patel, advocate Arvind Parmar, Gyan Prakash, Anurag Sharma and Umesh Chandra Sharma, who have claimed in the structure is Neelkanth Mahadev temple located in the fort of Raja Mahipal. One of the petitioners, Arvind Parmar, on Saturday said that the first party is the deity, Neelkanth Mahadev Maharaj, himself. Parmar said that they have pleaded that the followers of the Sanatan Dharma should be allowed to offer prayers at the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. Also, police and administration must be directed to ensure there is no objection, dispute or interference during worshipping. He said that a separate application has been filed in this matter urging the court to appoint a commission to undertake a survey of the mosque premises. The petition has mentioned books that, it claims, say that the mosque is the Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir. The diary published by the information department also contains this information, and this was also presented by the petitioner, Parmar claimed. The mosque is built on an elevated area called Sotha Mohalla and is considered the highest structure in the town of Budaun. It is also believed to be the third oldest existing and seventh largest mosque in the country, having a capacity of 23,500. There have been several similar suits, including in Mathura and Varanasi, claiming that mosques there were sites of ancient Hindu temples. PTI
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.
The footage has sparked outrage among Saudi activists who say the abuse is consistent with the human rights record of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
A screengrab from the video of the assault on a group of women at a Saudi orphanage, leaked on 30 August 2022 (Twitter)
A leaked video reportedly showing Saudi security services brutally assaulting a group of women at an orphanage in Saudi Arabia’s south-west has prompted outrage online and a promise by the government to investigate the incident.
The video, first posted on Twitter on Tuesday by a woman who filmed the attack, shows dozens of men dressed in security uniform and others in Saudi national dress chasing women, beating them with wooden sticks and lashing them with leather belts. The video then shows a man dragging one of the women by her hair as she screams, while another beats her with a belt.
Footage shared on social media shows multiple male security forces attacking women at an orphanage in the city of Khamis Mushait.
The orphanage is located in Khamis Mushait, a city in Asir province, some 884 kilometres from the capital Riyadh.
In response to the video, the governor of the province, Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, ordered the formation of a committee to investigate “all parties” of the incident and “refer the case to the competent authority”.
The video has gone viral on social media, with the hashtag “Khamis Mushait Orphans” trending in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Saudi human rights advocates denounced the video as more evidence of the Saudi government’s suppression of women rights in the kingdom under the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Since becoming the kingdom’s de-facto ruler in 2017, the crown prince has overseen a widespread crackdown on dissent, despite promoting himself as a leader of liberal reforms. The crackdown has targeted members of the political opposition, the Shia minority, as well as female activists who called for an end to discriminatory policies and social practices against women.
Women in these orphanages should be allowed to share their experiences and make calls for improved conditions without being targeted’
– Lina al-Hathloul
Meanwhile, Abdullah al-Juraywi, a London-based Saudi opposition activist and head of Diwan London dialogue platform, told MEE the assault came in response to a strike held by the women to demand improved conditions after earlier protests about mistreatment were ignored. The administration of the orphanage then requested the intervention of the security services.
It is not yet immediately clear how many women were detained in the incident. Saudi authorities have yet to release details.
“Women in these orphanages should be allowed to share their experiences and make calls for improved conditions without being targeted, harassed or assaulted in any shape or form,” Al-Hathloul told MEE.
She also called on the Saudi authorities to “establish an independent and transparent investigation” into the incident and to hold the perpetrators accountable.
MEE has asked the Saudi foreign ministry for comment on the incident but received no response.
Srinagar, Aug 29: The problem was not with mass gathering but the offering of namaz, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Monday after FIR was lodged against 25 people in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad after they offered namaz at an open space.
According to a police official, the case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code section 505 (public mischief). Namaz was being offered at the open space in Dellepur village despite warning, he said.
I’m sure if one of the neighbours had a hawan with 26 friends & relatives that would be perfectly acceptable. It’s not the “mass gathering” that is the problem, it’s the offering of namaz. https://t.co/DUrI1EqVlI
However, one of the people named in the FIR said the land where namaz was offered was a private property.
In a tweet, Omar Abdullah said, “I’m sure if one of the neighbours had a hawan with 26 friends and relatives that would be perfectly acceptable. It’s not the mass gathering that is the problem, it’s the offering of namaz.” Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Rural, Sandeep Kumar Meena said, “The villagers continued to perform namaz in the open space despite a warning and being told to do it at their houses. So, we have registered a case against 25 people.” Wahid Saifi, who has been named in the FIR, said, “We are legal owners of that land where namaz was being offered frequently since Independence. But recently, some miscreants, claiming themselves to be Bajrang Dal activists, objected to it claiming it was a new practice. They complained to the police on June 3.” Police visited the spot and checked all papers and issued summons to be present in the SDM’s office, he said.
“We visited the SDM office on June 3 where Circle officer, Kanth Saloni Agrawal was also present. All legal papers were presented by us but she warned us not to perform namaz in open space and since then we were following the orders. But an FIR was lodged on August 24 in Chajlait Police Station after the transfer of the SHO,” Saifi said.
“We all were unaware about any case and we came to know about it from the media,” Saifi said.–(PTI)
