REGIONAL

A massive fire broke out in a Hariparigam village of Awantipora sub division of south Kashmir's Pulwama district last late evening. Official sources told news agency Kashmir Scroll (KS) that fire broke out in the house of Ali Mohammad Ganaie, Son of Mohammad Sultan, resident of Hariparigam area of Awantipora. "Fire and Emergency and locals are on the job to douse the flames" they said. "As per the initial report the cause of the fire is electric shock", they added. However the roof top of the house is fully damaged when this report is filled.(KS)

Amid a shutdown, protestors in Jammu have called for a restoration of Article 370 and statehood in Jammu Kashmir. According to eyewitnesses, business establishments in the temple city are shut and the traffic movement has been halted to a massive extent. Protests are being held at several places while the markets are completely shut in Raghunath Bazar, Gole Market, Bahu plaza along with several other main markets of the Jammu City. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu had given a one-day call for Jammu shutdown against smart meters installation by the power development department and continuation of Sarore Toll Post on Jammu-Pathankot national highway. Sunil Dimple, the chairperson of Mission Statehood said that following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 05,...

BJP leader and Jammu Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi has issued an order calling for a selection panel to appoint clerics for waqf-run mosques in the Kashmir valley. In her latest order, Waqf Board Chairperson has said that old age persons whose words are tough to understand will be replaced by degree holder Imam’s, Mubalighs, Muazins in coming days. "Jammu Kashmir Waqf Board is a religious institution which deals with Mosques and Shrines. We need Imam’s, Preachers and Muazins to carry out religious duties. At several Mosques and Shrines we have no arrangement of people who lead congregational religious duties there. So in this regard J&K Waqf has decided to carry out a recruitment drive soon to fill the vacancies so that the shortcomings would be resolved,” Dr. ...

Jammu Kashmir administration on Friday suspended a lecturer who had appeared before the Supreme Court on Wednesday and argued against abrogation of Article 370 and reorganization of J&K. The School Education Department today placed Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, senior lecturer, political science under suspension with immediate effect for violation of provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, Jammu & Kashmir Government Employees Conduct Rules, J&K Leave Rules. “During the period of suspension, the delinquent shall remain attached in the office of Director School Education Jammu,” reads the order, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) The government has also ordered that Subah Mehta, joint director, School Education, Jammu sh...

Administration on Thursday unveiled guidelines for allotment/ lease of land to landless beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). The Revenue Department, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), today said that five Marlas of state land will be allotted on lease basis to landless PMAY (G)/Awas plus beneficiaries out of Rural Development Department's permanent waiting list 2018-19. Those eligible for allotment are people residing on state land; people residing on forest land; people residing in Rakhs and Farms; people in possession of custodian land; people residing on land already allotted by the Government near Dachigam Park for agricultural purposes, where construction is not permitted and any other category of cases who are otherwise eligible for Housing under P...

Anaemia continues to be a major health problem in Jammu Kashmir, especially in women and children. Doctors blamed nutritional deficiencies, and ignorance of menstrual health as the main reasons behind Anaemia. Several doctors while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said majority of women do not take nutrient rich diet. They said anaemia is a condition that is marked by low levels of haemoglobin in the blood. “Iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for about half of all anaemia globally. Still, anaemia can also be caused by malaria, hookworms, other nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections and genetic conditions,” they added. Dr Sabeena, a gynaecologist told Kashmir News Observer that a lack of nutrition diversity in meals — inclusion of quality sou...

Danishwar Hameed A teenager was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his home in Kulgam. An official told The Kashmiriyat that on Friday afternoon, an 18-year-old boy (name withheld) was found lying unconscious at his home in the Pooniwah area of the south Kashmir district. The teenager was rushed to the hospital by his family members, however, he was declared dead upon his arrival at the hospital, he said. Hospital officials confirmed the incident and said that the body will be handed over to the family for his last rites after medico-legal formalities are completed.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu on Thursday gave a one-day call for Jammu shutdown against smart meters installation by the power development department and continuation of Sarore Toll Post on Jammu-Pathankot national highway. Addressing a press conference, Arun Gupta, president of CCI-Jammu said that a meeting of the different market and trade associations comprising more than 100 organizations was held to discuss the issues regarding the installation of Smart Meters by PDD and subsequently switching over to prepaid system of billing and Toll Plaza at Sarore. He further said “The members of the different associations present expressed their anger over the installation of Smart Meters and functioning at Toll Plaza at Sarore despite damage of entire road,” the presid...

The weather department on Friday advised concerned authorities to remain cautious till August 26 as “rain over higher reaches may generate landslides, flash floods in vulnerable spots at lower catchments areas”. A meteorological department official told GNS that generally cloudy weather was expected with the possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain at scattered places of J&K during next 24 hours. On August 26, he said, the weather is expected to be generally cloudy with the possibility of “intermittent light to moderate rain at scattered places.” “Although there’s no forecast of heavy rain, still all concerned are advised to remain cautious during August 25-26th as rain over higher reaches may generate landslides, flash floods in vulnerable spots at lower catchments ...

54 drug smugglers have been booked under PIT- NDPS Act/ PSA in north Kashmir's baramulla district  after obtaining formal detention order from the competent authorities and lodged in different jails, Police said. As per the Police statement, thesse "hard-core" drug peddlers were operating in Uri, Pattan , Baramulla, Kreeri and Tangmarg sub divisions. Pertinent to mention that many cases are registered against these drug Smugglers and were involved in promoting drug abuse trade by supplying drugs to local youth of District Baramulla, Police claimed. Despite their involvement in many FIR's, they did not mend their activities and were again involved in promoting drug abuse trade by supplying drugs to local youth. "Sustained action against drug peddlers has brought a visible change...