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  • Sopore fruit traders protest against ‘illegal selling’ of Iranian apples in Mandi’s

    Baramulla, Jan 03: The fruit market had suffered badly since last few months as Iranian apples were “illegally” and freely sold in Indian markets, say those associated with the fruit trade at Asia’s second—largest fruit mandi here in the apple town Sopore area of northern Kashmir.

    While seeking the ban on Iranian apples in the country, the traders also staged a protest demonstration on Monday at fruit trade, stating that the import of Iranian apples to india has completely downgraded the fruit industry of Kashmir.

    “Since the last few months, it has badly affected our local fruit industry as the apples which were being sold at suitable prices are now being sold at less price. This has left all the fruit traders here worried, “the protesters told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

    “The apple trade in Kashmir is a biggest trade on which economy of Kashmir runs and if it will be downgraded the business infrastructure of Kashmir will also crumple, “the protesters said.

    They said that the Apple industry was already suffering since last fews years due to the Covid-19 lockdown and uncertainty and now importing Iranian apples and sideling local production is not only a headache for us but is affecting us badly.

    “The apples coming from the Iran enters market without tax while the same time the local local fruit growers pay their taxes regularly, “Mudasir Ahmad, a local apple trader said, adding that the government should ban it very soon.

    Mustafa Jameel another trader said that his fruit business is getting worse with each passing day due to Iranian apples as he had dispatched many apple trucks to Delhi but has got very meager price in return.

    The traders also appealed the central government and LG leg administration to ban import of Iranian apples so that the local apple trade won’t suffer—(KNO)

  • MeT issues advisory for moderate to heavy snowfall in J&K, Ladakh till Jan 9

    Says Weather System To Hit Road, Surface Traffic; Bring Snow Avalanches; Drop In Day Temperature

    Srinagar, Jan 3: Weatherman on Monday issued an advisory for moderate to heavy snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from till January 9 and warned about road and aerial traffic disruptions as well as avalanches and drop in day temperature.

    “Two Successive Western Disturbances most likely to affect Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and adjoining areas from 3rd January (late night) to 9th January (forenoon), 2022,” reads the advisory sent by MeT department to divisional commissioners of Kashmir as well as Jammu.

    Under the influence of these weather systems, the weatherman said that widespread moderate rain and snow was expected in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. “Light rain/snow would commence at a few places of Kashmir from 3rd January evening and thereafter increase in intensity & distribution,” reads the advisory, a copy of which lies with GNS, adding, “Main activity of this system will be occurrence of moderate to heavy rain/snow, most likely during 5th and 8th January and gradual decrease thereafter.”

    It said the system is likely to cause heavy rain and snow mainly in Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division (from Bhadcrwah to Banihal), upper reaches of Kashmir (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Baramulla and Kupwara , and Drass subdivision in Ladakh.

    Regarding probable impacts, the weather advisory says that there may be disruption of surface and air transport including Jammu- Srinagar Highway, Srinagar-Leh Highway (Zojila Pass), Leh-Manali, Mughal Road, and Sadhna pass.

    “(there are) chances of snow avalanches and landslides in vulnerable areas besides disruption of power supply in hilly areas.”

    There may water logging in low lying areas besides further dip in day temperatures, it said.

    “People in snow bound areas are to avoid venturing into sloppy areas during heavy snow,” it reads, adding, “People are also advised to maintain proper ventilation.” (GNS)

  • Sonmarg-Zojjila road closed as higher reaches receive fresh snowfall

    Ganderbal, Jan 03: Authorities on Monday closed Sonamarg-Zojjila road was after upper reaches of Zojila in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir received fresh snowfall.

    Reports reaching the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Sonamarg, Menimarg and Drass areas recieved fresh snowfall on Sunday evening.

    Traffic official said that keeping in view slippery condition and fresh snowfall, Sonamarg-Zojjila road has been closed as a precautionary measure. “The traffic was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to avoid any incident,” he said.

    The Becon officials said that men and machinery are on job to restore the traffic—(KNO)

  • Missing Sopore fruit grower found in Pulwama

    Srinagar, Jan 02: A 48-year-old trader from Sopore area of North Kashmir has been found in Pulwama town on Sunday.

    An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a fruit trader from Achabal Sopore was found by Pulwama police in main town Pulwama on Sunday afternoon.

    He has been identified as Ghulam Nabi Naikoo (48) son of Gh Qadir resident of Achabal, Rafiabad.

    He was missing from since 22 September last year following which his family had 11 repeatedly protested and demanded his whereabouts.

    Naikoo was working as a trader at fruit mandi Sopore and left for Shopian for business purpose on 22 September this year, but went missing the same day.

    The family had said that Naikoo talked to them on phone at 5:45 PM that evening and said that he was nearby and would reach home soon.

    “But his phone got switched off after that, “a family member said adding they were not able to trace him since then—(KNO)

  • WHO chief optimistic COVID pandemic will be beaten in 2022

    Geneva: The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that he is optimistic that the COVID-19 pandemic will be defeated in 2022, provided countries work together to contain its spread.
    Ghebreyesus warned against “narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding” in a new year statement, reports the BBC.
    His comments come two years since the WHO was first notified of cases of an unknown pneumonia strain in China.
    He warned that continuing inequity in vaccine distribution was increasing the risk of the virus evolving.
    “Narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding by some countries have undermined equity and created the ideal conditions for the emergence of the Omicron variant, and the longer inequity continues, the higher the risks of the virus evolving in ways we can’t prevent or predict,” he said.
    “If we end inequity, we end the pandemic,” he added.
    India has registered a substantial spike in daily COVID cases at 22,775 in a span of 24 hours. Also, 406 deaths were reported in the same time span pushing the toll to 4,81,486.
    However, the active caseload jumped to 1,04,781 which constitute 0.30 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.
    Meanwhile, the Omicron infection tally has increased to 1,431 across the nation. However, of the total cases, 488 have been discharged from hospitals. So far, 23 states have reported Omicron infections.

  • No science behind night curfews in India: WHO’s Swaminathan

    New Delhi, Dec 31 : There is no science behind night curfews when it comes to tackling the spread of Covid variants, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has stressed.
    In a TV media interview, she said that countries like India must formulate science-based policies for curbing the spread of the virus.
    “Things like night curfew, there is no science behind it. One has to take evidence-based measures. There is a whole list of public health measures,” she told CNBC-TV18.
    “Entertainment venues are places where these viruses spread the most. It’s natural to bring in some restrictions there,” Swaminathan added.
    She said that Indians need to be prepared, but not panic.
    “What we can expect to see in India is a surge of Omicron cases, I think it is just beginning now in some of the cities and is going to infect a lot of people,” the WHO scientist said.
    With 309 new cases of highly transmissible Covid variant Omicron detected in the last 24 hours, India’s Omicron tally on Friday rose to 1,270 cases. Of total, 374 have been discharged.
    Among the 23 states and Union Territories that have reported the Omicron infection so far, Maharashtra tops the list with 450 cases of this variant. Of them, 125 patients have been discharged as per the Health Ministry data.
    Delhi has the second highest cases of Omicron infection at 320. However, 57 of them have been discharged from the hospital.

  • ‘We will die without him’, as family of Sgr boy arrested by NIA appeal for his release

    Srinagar, Jan 01: The family members of Arslan Feroz of Zaldagar area of Srinagar, who has been detained by the National Investigation Agency on Saturday held a protest at press enclave , demanding release of their son.

    Talking to reporters at Press Enclave Srinagar, Arsalan’s sister appealed to DIG and IGP Kashmir to release his brother and do justice with his family. 

    While pleading for her brother’s innocence, she said that they will die without him. “He is studying in 12th standard but he was arrested by police during his board exams in the name of mobile phone checking. After that he is in jail for about one and half month and is not being allowed to appear in his board exams,” she added.

    She also said that when the NIA raided their home, Arsalan was not present at home and his father called him back and asked him to co-operate with the agency.

    Arsalan came to home and went to police station for questioning along with his father. “So why is police saying that he was arrested from his home when he was not present at his home at the time of the raid,” she questioned.

    She said that Arsalan’s father is a heart patient and he cannot live without his son. “It is our appeal to the authorities to release him as he has not done anything wrong,” she said. (KNS)

  • Hundred Members of Gujjar and Bakarwal Communities Join BJP in Srinagar

    Srinagar: Over hundred prominent persons of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, including Municipal ward members, joined the BJP on Saturday at Tigore Hall Srinagar

    The new entrants, hailing from different areas of the Valley were welcomed to the party fold by former minister & Senior BJP Leader Abdul Ghani Kohli, Party’s Media In-Charge, Manzoor Bhat & District President Srinagar Ashok Bhat

    While addressing Gujjar and Bakerwal community in Srinagar, Abdul Ganie Kholi said that “Measures are being taken to ensure the all round development of the said community and we are looking closely into issues faced by them at present”.

    “BJP is the only party that does not discriminate people on the name of caste, color, creed, religion and sex and aims for all round development of all sects and areas,

    a statement issued here, Party’s Kashmir Media In-Charge, Manzoor Bhat said it was only the Modi-led government that took “substantial steps” to make sure that the democracy is strengthened at the basic level in the state.

    he said BJP’s Public popularity  is the result of proper implementation of welfare and public empowerment oriented schemes of prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji . India has witnessed corruption free governance after decades. Prime minister’s programmes and schemes are meant for weaker sections of society, privileged and deprived class of society

    The Community of Gujjar Bakarwal added that our problems and needs are quite different from other communities of the J&K state. ST Rights, Language and culture of Gujjar Bakarwal community is also different than those of other communities of this state that is why community has its own peculiar position. Gujjar Bakarwal community is different and as such the community has a distinct identity.

  • China says Arunachal Pradesh ‘inherent part’ of its territory, ‘renaming’ Arunachal places

    PTI

    India on Thursday had strongly rejected China renaming 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh

    India, China must adhere to past agreements to keep the peace along the border

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that "the southern part of Tibet belongs to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of Chin and it has been China's inherent territories". (PTI File Image)
    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here that “the southern part of Tibet belongs to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of Chin and it has been China’s inherent territories”. (PTI File Image)

    Beijing: China on Friday defended the renaming of 15 more places in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that the southern part of Tibet is an “inherent part” of its territory.

    India on Thursday strongly rejected China renaming 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state has “always been” and will “always be” an integral part of India and that assigning “invented” names does not alter this fact.

    India’s reaction came in response to China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announcing Chinese names for 15 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which Beijing claims as South Tibet.

    “We have seen such. This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in New Delhi.

    “Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact,” Bagchi said.

    The Chinese government’s announcement on December 30 that it had come up with its own names for 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh could not have come at a more precarious moment for an already strained relationship. The move is ostensibly aimed at “standardising” how places in the Indian State are depicted in official Chinese maps, which show all of Arunachal as “south Tibet”.

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement in response to the move that “assigning invented names” will not “alter” any facts on the ground and Arunachal’s status as an integral part of India. As the MEA noted, this is not the first time that Beijing has done so. In 2017, Chinese authorities issued “official” names for six places in Arunachal. The first instance followed a visit by the Dalai Lama to the State, which Beijing had protested.

    The list on this occasion is longer, and not only includes eight towns but also four mountains, two rivers and a mountain pass. The list covers 11 out of Arunachal’s 25 districts, extending from Tawang in the west to Dibang Valley in the north and Anjaw in the east. The spread of the locations suggests the places were chosen to reiterate Chinese claims to the whole State.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Last Surviving Militant Involved in ‘Lethpora Attack’ Likely Killed

    Srinagar, Jan 1: One of the militants killed in Anantnag encounter on December 30 is likely to be of the last surviving militant involved in ‘Lethpora attack’, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.

    Kashmir Zone Police in a tweet citing the top cop wrote; “The picture of one of the killed #Millitants in #AnantnagEncounter on Dec-30th matches with JeM top commander Samir Dar, who was the last surviving militant involved in Lethpora #Pulwama #militant Attack. We are going for DNA sample matching: IGP Kashmir (sic.).”

    Three militants and an army man were killed in a nightlong encounter on December 30, 2021 in Dooru Anantnag.

    Pertinent to mention here that at least 49 CRPF personnel were killed in a militant strike in Lethpora Pulwama on February 15, 2019.