November 2024 - The Kashmiriyat

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Cop arrested for selling drugs at GMC Jammu

REGIONAL

A Jammu Kashmir Police constable has been arrested for allegedly trafficking drugs within the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu. Mohammed Mukhtiyar, a resident of Beli Charana and a member of the Armed Police 12th Battalion in Srinagar, was detained during a police operation led by the Incharge of the GMCH police post, with an Executive Magistrate present. The search uncovered 15 grams of heroin and Rs 9,000 in cash, leading to his suspension and arrest under FIR number 155/2024 at Bakshi Nagar Police Station, under the NDPS Act. Officials suspect Mukhtiyar's involvement in a larger drug syndicate operating in Jammu, with allegations of targeting local youth and contributing to the growing drug overdose problem. This marks the second such arrest in a week:...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Two including Anantnag youth killed, Two others injured in Srinagar road accident

REGIONAL

A tragic road accident occurred at Tangpora, Srinagar, on Thursday evening, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving two others injured. The victims were identified as Azeem Sofi, a resident of Rawalpora, originally from Anantnag, and his friend Hammad Showkat Wani, a resident of Lal Bazar, Srinagar. The injured individuals have been named as Eisa Tariq Ghani from Lal Bazar and Rayan Sheikh from Buchpora, Srinagar. Emergency responders rushed the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

SC verdict must serve as turning point in hate campaigns against Muslims: Amnesty International

INDIA

Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on bulldozer actions, Amnesty International said on Wednesday that the landmark judgment must serve as a "turning point" in the "hate campaigns" against Muslims. In a statement, the international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights said the verdict should put an end to the "climate of impunity" around the "cruel and inhuman practice of punishing people by unlawfully demolishing their homes and properties". "This landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India should put an end to the climate of impunity around the cruel and inhuman practice of punishing people by unlawfully demolishing their homes and properties," Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, said. "We hope this judgment will mark a turning point t...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Omar Abdullah sets up outreach cell at Gupkar residence to address public grievances

REGIONAL

The Omar Abdullah-led government has established a public relations and outreach cell at his Gupkar residence to connect with the public and address their grievances. Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani said that the purpose of the cell is to provide a platform for the people to reach out to the government and have their issues and grievances addressed. “The cell will remain open during office hours on a regular basis. Officers will be available, and the Chief Minister will also meet public delegations personally to listen to their concerns,” he said, adding that a roster for this will be made public soon. He further mentioned that the cell will not only serve as a grievance redressal unit but will also welcome public suggestions, as the government belongs to the peopl...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Delhi High court reinstates OCI card of Kashmiri doctor in US

REGIONAL

The Delhi High Court has reinstated the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status for Dr. Khalid Jahangir Qazi, a US national of Kashmiri origin, after previously being blacklisted and having his OCI card revoked. Dr. Qazi, a clinical professor at the University of Buffalo, challenged the government’s orders from May 2023 that canceled his OCI card and imposed a blacklist restricting his entry into India. In its ruling, the court stressed the need for due process, highlighting that the right to a fair hearing under the Citizenship Act should extend to blacklisting procedures under the Foreigners Act. The court noted that without procedural safeguards, the government might apply dual remedies on identical grounds, compromising the protections granted to OCI holders. Dr. Qazi’s ...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Police attaches property of militancy accused in Sopore

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir police on Thursday attached property worth Rs 1 crore, belonging to a militancy associate under UAPA, in Bomai area of Sopore, officials said. In a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that the attachment has been made in case FIR No. 26/2024, registered under Sections 18, 20, 23, 38 and 39 of the UA(P) Act, 7/25 Arms Act, at Police Station Bomai. The statement reads that the attachment of the property is a part of the ongoing efforts to choke the financial and logistical support for militant organizations and their enablers. It added that the property belonged to one Aamir Rashid Lone son of Abdul Rashid Lone of Bomai—(KNO)

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Air Quality in Srinagar reaches dangerous levels, Anantnag and Jammu too struggle with air pollution

REGIONAL

The air quality in Kashmir and Jammu regions has significantly deteriorated, with major cities experiencing unhealthy pollution levels. Data from IQAir, accessed by The Kashmiriyat, shows that Srinagar, Anantnag, and Jammu are all grappling with poor air conditions that pose serious health risks, particularly for sensitive groups. In Srinagar, the Air Quality Index (AQI) currently stands at 183, which is categorized as "Unhealthy." The main pollutant affecting the city is PM2.5, with a concentration of 119.7 µg/m³. Weather conditions in the city show a temperature of 14°C, with a gentle breeze blowing at 4.7 km/h and a humidity level of 32 percent. Health authorities advise residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities as exposure to such ...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Ancient DNA reveals the enduring influence of Arab and Central Asian ancestry on Kashmiri genetics

FEATURED

A genetic study conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Jammu Kashmir has unveiled the profound historical influence of Central Asian and Arab populations on Kashmir's genetic makeup, tracing these connections back to the Silk Road. This genetic research offers new insights into Kashmir's ancient demographic interactions. The study, published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine, analyzed genetic markers from 694 individuals randomly selected from various districts across Jammu Kashmir. The results highlight strong genetic ties between Kashmir’s population and communities from Central Asia and Arab regions, reflecting the lasting impact of the Silk Route—an extensive network of trade routes connecting China with the Mediterranean from as early as 130 BC. ...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

181 out of 198 staff found absent at Shopian hospital during surprise check

REGIONAL

In a surprise inspection at Shopian District Hospital on Wednesday, authorities found more than 90% of staff absent from their duties. The inspection, conducted at 10:10 am by the additional deputy commissioner under the direction of the deputy commissioner, revealed that of the hospital's 198 employees, only 17 were present. The biometric attendance records, provided by the hospital's medical superintendent, showed that many doctors, medical officers, paramedical staff, and ministerial staff were absent without authorization. This absenteeism has caused significant inconvenience to the public, officials said. Following the inspection, the deputy commissioner issued a circular mandating that employees absent without authorization will have one day's salary deducted, with the amoun...

Nov142024 by News DeskNo Comments

Cancer cases surge: Over 1,600 registered at GMC Anantnag alone in recent years

REGIONAL

The Department of Radiation Oncology at GMC-associated hospital in Janglat Mandi, Anantnag, has registered over 1,600 cancer patients in the last few years, marking a worrying surge in cancer cases in Jammu Kashmir. As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the rise in cancer cases was highlighted during a recent cancer awareness event held at GMC Anantnag, where medical professionals discussed the growing concern and the importance of early detection and treatment. Dr Shahid, Head of the Department of Oncology at GMC Anantnag, revealed that approximately 1,600 cancer patients have been registered at the hospital, with more than 400 patients diagnosed this year alone. “The hospital has been conducting thousands of chemotherapy sessions annually and efforts are ongoing to...