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Srinagar, Dec 25: People’s Conference (PC) General Secretary Imran Raza Ansari Friday said that New Delhi should open eyes and adress the genuine concerns of people of J&K as they reposed their faith on democracy during recently concluded DDC polls.

Speaking exclusively to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Ansari said that people of Jammu and Kashmir came out in large numbers during DDC elections and reposed their faith again in the democratic set up of the country. He appealed Government of India to reciprocate and address the genuine concern of people of the territory.

The PC leader said that New Delhi shouldn’t waste time now and come up with a tangible policy to erase the disillusionment dominated on the faces of people of Jammu and Kashmir after August 5, 2019.

He added that it was a good omen that DDC polls were conducted after a long spell and in a free and fair manner. “Prior to polls it was rounding that elections would be rigged to reap the benefit for a particular party. But I think the elections were conducted in a free and fair atmosphere which should be lauded”, he said.

Ansari alleged that there was a “babu culture” in J&K where few political leaders had created obstacles in developmental activities and looted state’s exchequer by both hands but after DDC polls people gave a clear message and handed over their trust to new faces.

“During DDC polls people made succeed new faces instead of traditional ones and I hope these newly elected people will serve the community with zeal and passion”, the PC leader added.

He further added that no body can separate Jammu from Kashmir and vice-versa. “We should not get which party got more votes, rather it is a win of democracy and India as well as people came out in bulk to cast their ballots”, he added.

Ansari while continuing said that whosoever voted during DDC polls wishes for a “dignified” and “peaceful” life. “I visited many places for campaigning and I met people there who wanted their life should be dignified and peaceful”, he said.

“People at grassroots level are stuck in a quagmire of uncertainty and want to come out of this political limbo. They voted for peace, prosperity and for the survival of a dignified life. I hope elected ones will address their concerns in their respective domains”, he added.

When asked about PAGD, he said that the spirit of alliance seems missing. “Amidst polls, a particular party in the alliance enlisted their candidates which created fissures in the alliance. Days were taken to make the list public. So I think the spirit which should be there, is missing”, he said. (KNS)

Srinagar, Dec 25: Owner of the house in which two militants including a top JeM commander and a local young ace footballer were killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF has been missing, his family said on Friday.

They said that the owner, Mehraj-ud-Din Qazi son of Ghulam Nabi Qazi of Wanigam Baramulla, has been missing from last two days.

“He is missing from last two days. We searched him everywhere but to no avail. We are now filing a missing report with the police,” Syed Aijaz Ahmad Bukhari, brother-n-law of the missing person, told GNS over phone.

He said that Qazi is a 40-year-old businessman who deals with fruits and has two children besides wife.

At the time filing this report, the family was on way to the police station to file the missing report. Developing story, more details awaited. (GNS)

Srinagar: There was slight improvement in cold conditions in Kashmir as the minimum temperature rose across the valley on Thursday, even as the MET Office forecast the possibility of light snow over two days from Saturday.
The night temperature marked an improvement but continued to settle below the freezing point, MET officials said.
The weather has remained dry and cold across Kashmir since the snowfall on December 12, with the night temperature staying several degrees below the freezing point, they said.
The officials said Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius up from the previous night’s minus 5 degrees Celsius.
They said the mercury in Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir went up from the previous night’s low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius to settle at a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.
They said the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius slightly up from Wednesday’s minus 6 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the valley.
Qazigund the gateway town to the valley recorded the minimum of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara, in the north, registered a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius and Kokernag, in the south, minus 3 degrees Celsius, the officials said.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the 40-day harshest winter period when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
‘Chillai-Kalan’, which began on December 21, is considered the harshest winter period in Kashmir as a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the famous Dal Lake here as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley.
The chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall, the officials said.
While ‘Chillai-Kalan’ will end on January 31, the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
The MET Office has said the weather is likely to remain mainly dry till December 25, but there is a possibility of light in the valley for two days from Saturday.
There is no forecast of any major snowfall activity till the end of this month, it added. PTI

Srinagar, Dec 25: The chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed said the frequency of allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is higher than what would be expected for other jabs, according to a report.

Dr. Moncef Slaoui said the last time he was updated on allergic reactions was Tuesday, when there were six cases, and added that the data on COVID-19 immunizations is lagging behind the actual numbers, CNN reported.

“That frequency, as it stood yesterday, is superior to what one would expect with other vaccines,” he said.

On Monday, a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases official said the US is looking at why some people have suffered severe allergic reactions shortly after receiving the Pfizer shot.

Srinagar: For the first time, authorities are making all efforts to keep the 440 kilometre Srinagar-Leh road open during winters in view of standoff between India and Chinese troops in Ladakh.

The authorities would close the Srinagar-Leh road in the first week of December till April. However, this year the road is still open.

An official of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) said they are making all efforts to keep the highway open in maximum day during winters.

“We have got new equipments and machinery to clear the snow and to keep highway open. This is being done to facilitate movement of troops, equipment and other essentials.

Government does not want to take any chances as Chinese troops could move further ahead in Eastern Ladakh during winters,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

The stretch especially Zojila pass witnesses heavy snowfall with the road buried under several feet of snow. 

Deputy Commissioner Kargil Baser-ul-Haq Choudhary also said the administration was trying to keep the road open during winters. “If nature support us then we will be able to keep the road open,” he told news agency KINS.

For months there are escalations along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. In June this year, at least 20 Indian army men were killed after their clash with Chinese soldiers in Galwan valley of Ladakh.

The China has been objecting for developing infrastructure near the LAC in Ladakh and withdrawal of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

China is particularly concerned about a bridge that India is reportedly building across the Galwan Nallah.

Thee bridge according to locals is about 7.5 km from the LAC. But the Chinese have objected because they are suspicious of India’s aims on account of New Delhi’s claim over Aksai Chin.

India shares a 3,488-km border with China while Ladakh shares 646 kms of the LAC with the neighbouring country.

June’s face-off was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost around 80 soldiers while over 300 Chinese army personnel were killed in the confrontation. (KINS)

Srinagar: Maj Gen HS Sahi, GOC Kilo Force today said misguided youth should shun their path and become part of national Mainstream.

“Joining Militancy is not an option, youth who got misguided by the propaganda of Pakistan should shun that path and join national mainstream and be part of changing Kashmir which is on path of development,” he told reporters duirng a musical event function organised at GDC Handwara.

He added that Grassroot level development is being pushed forward in Kashmir.

“People voted in record high percentage in DDC elections. I am hopeful that all those candidates chosen by people will fullfill their Development aspiration,” he said.

Regarding the organising of the youth program, he said, ” the aim of these programmes is to give platform to the youth so that they can showcase their talent for better future.”

“I am glad to see 80 percent of youth attended the event in a temperature of minus 6. (KNS)”

Srinagar: Although temperatures of Jammu and Kashmir starts dropping in the beginning of December, but the harshest winters commence by the third week of December and last until the end of January.

The minimum temperatures of Jammu and Kashmir are already heading south. Anantnag, Banihal, Batote, Gulmarg, Kukernag, Kupwara and Qazigund are witnessing minimum temperatures in the range of -3 and -5 degree, Srinagar and Gulmarg are recording minimum temperature around -6 degrees. Most of the districts of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing freezing morning and nights.

The 40-day period of chilly winter in Kashmir is known as ‘Chillai-Kalan’ in local language which began on December 21, 2020 and it will end on January 31, 2021.

This is the favourable period for upper reaches of valley to receive snowfall. During this period intensity of western disturbances are usually very high. Heavy to very heavy snowfall leads to subzero temperatures across the valley.

Chillai-Kalan period is known for freezing temperatures, lakes and river get frozen.
During these 40 days, chances of snowfall are highest, and the maximum temperature drops significantly. During Chillai-Kalan, the weather in Kashmir valley continues to remain very cold and minimum temperatures usually hovers below freezing point and the snowfall during this 40-day period is much heavier and lasts longer.

When Chillai-Kalan ends, the cold wave continues even after that. Chillai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) that is between January 31 and February 19 which is followed by 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) between February 20 to March 2. (KINS) With inputs from agencies.

Srinagar: Families of accused people in advocate Babar Qadri’s killing Friday claimed that their sons were innocent and asked investigating agencies to show them proof.

On September 24, advocate Babar Qadri was shot dead by two gunmen who disguised as clients, at his residence at Hawal area of downtown Srinagar.

They reportedly told Qadri that they wanted to discuss an accident-related matter, but took out pistols and fired in his head. Qadri was rushed to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) hospital in Srinagar, but he was declared brought dead.

While as per reports, the three detainees have told the police that the order for his September 24 assassination came from central jail, Srinagar.

A special team constituted by the Jammu and Kashmir police to investigate the murder of the lawyer and television panellist also arrested two men from the Srinagar central jail.

The two individuals, who have been taken into custody, were in jail for a stone-pelting and murder case.

While families of accused Friday protested at Srinagar’s press colony claiming their sons were innocent.

Sister of one of the accused said her brother was on shop at Khanyar when Babar Qadri was killed. 

“Police can check the CCTVs. But my brother has been falsely implicated in the case. He has been interrogated. His legs have also been fractured due to interrogation,” she said as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

A relative of another accused claimed that police has done investigation in a “closed room”.

“We seek justice as our sons have been implicated in a wrong case. If they are involved, ask police to show us the proof,” he said. “We were shocked when we got to know that our sons have been implicated in Babar Qadri murder case. We stand by his family and those who did the act should be punished. But innocents should not be implicated,” he demanded.

In his last tweet on September 21, Qadri had tagged J&K police and said that there was a threat to his life. (KINS)