REGIONAL

Srinagar is grappling with a significant traffic crisis, with nearly 3.75 lakh vehicles plying daily within the city limits, according to Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari. The city’s total vehicle count has surged to around four lakh, further compounded by the influx of vehicles from other districts. This heavy traffic load has led to increased congestion and a rise in road accidents, with recent tragedies like the death of two students at Tengpora sparking widespread concern. In response, the RTO, in coordination with the traffic police, has intensified efforts to manage traffic and curb unsafe practices, though a manpower shortage poses challenges. “We are committed to reducing congestion and accidents despite limited resources,” said Syed Shah...

On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, the District Kulgam has been honored with the prestigious title of "Best District in Fisheries (Union Territories)" by the Ministry of Fisheries, Government of India. The recognition comes in appreciation of the district's significant achievements in the development and promotion of fisheries, including sustainable practices, infrastructure development, and contribution to the local economy. District Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shri Athar Aamir Khan, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Fisheries Department Kulgam for this remarkable achievement. In a statement, he praised the efforts of the department and its staff in transforming the fisheries sector in the district. "I am incredibly proud of our Fisheries Department and the har...

The Jammu Kashmir Police carried out raids at multiple residential houses in Awantipora, South Kashmir, on Tuesday, following directives from the National Investigating Agency (NIA) court. The raids were part of the ongoing investigation into FIR No. 03/2024 under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, an official statement said. The searches targeted the residences of Advocate Ghulam Nabi Thoker, also known as Shaheen, in Khankah Midora, and Mohammad Jahangir Ahanger in Dadasara. According to the official handout, three books were recovered from Advocate Thoker’s residence during the operation. Further details regarding the investigation or the significance of the recovered materials were not disclosed.

The residents of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district staged a protest on Saturday, voicing their grievances over construction restrictions along the road leading to the newly constructed AIIMS Awantipora. The protesters, who gathered near the construction site, condemned what they called an unjust refusal by local authorities to allow them to build structures along the road. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesters said the administration’s ban on construction was unfair, especially given that they had already provided land for both AIIMS and the nearby Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora. "Many people have lost their businesses and livelihoods due to the widening of the road. If we are allowed to build, it will ...

Member Legislative Assembly Doda, Mehraj Ahmed Malik, on Tuesday, sought the formation of a committee that will look into the PSA implantation in Jammu Kashmir. Condemning the detention of a social activist from the Doda region, he said, "the authorities should fix the environmental mess instead of detaining those who raise concerns over it." Mehraj said that Kashmiri youth were being booked under PSA under the pretext of national security and anti national activities and this needs to stop immediately. He said that a youth Kalimullah who had raised alarm over the growing environmental pollution was booked under PSA for no reason. "I, as an elected member of the people, seek an advisory board to review the usage of public safety act on citizens. It shouldn't be blatantly used w...

A massive drug syndicate, with operations originating in Uttar Pradesh and extending to Jammu Kashmir, has been dismantled by the Delhi Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). The crackdown resulted in the arrest of four key members and the seizure of banned drugs worth ₹1 crore, including Tramadol tablets and Pentazocine injections. The arrested individuals—Chandan Kumar Rout, Arvind Singh, Parshuram, and Sushant Garg—were integral to the syndicate’s operations. Investigations revealed that Uttar Pradesh served as a key supply hub for the network, with narcotics being trafficked to multiple regions, including Jammu Kashmir, and even as far as Afghanistan. Sushant Garg, a BPharma graduate and pharmacy owner in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, was identified as the mastermind supplying ...

Police in south Kashmir's Pulwama district conducted a raid on the residence of GN Shaheen, a prominent leader of the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), in the Tral area. Shaheen, an advocate and former High Court Bar Association general secretary, is closely associated with Engineer Rashid's AIP. However, the motives behind the raid remain unclear. AIP Spokesperson Inamun Nabi stated that the party is still trying to understand the reasons behind the raid. "We contacted the police, and they informed us that the reason would be shared later," Nabi said adding that it is still not clear which agency is involved in the raid. [KNT]

With the onset of early winters, power generation from Jammu Kashmir’s State polls has reduced by 80 per cent at a time when demand is set to mount further. A top official of the Power Development Department (PDD) told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there was a high demand for power from the second week of November. “From across the regions, the total power generation capacity is 1200 Megawatts. However, as of now we are only able to generate a total of 200-260 Megawatts of power from the UT pool,” the official said. He further said, “as of now there is a demand for nearly 2000 to 2100 MWs but the availability is only 1600 to 1650 MWs. “During the curtailment hours, we cut off nearly 200-250 Megawatts at the peak hours. That is a force curtailment. Otherwise, ...

Danishwar Hameed A devastating fire broke out at the Government Middle School in Samnoo, Kulgam, completely destroying the building. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that the fire, which started early in the evening, quickly spread across the structure, causing extensive damage. Fire and Emergency Services, along with local residents, rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, but despite their efforts, the school building was gutted. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and authorities are conducting an investigation. Local officials have expressed their concern over the destruction, stating that the loss of the school building is a major setback for the community, especially for the students and staff who relied on the facility for their education...

A Thar Jeep accidentally fell into the Dal Lake along Fore Shore Road in Srinagar on Monday. Fortunately, there were no occupants in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Eyewitnesses told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the driver had parked the Thar on the roadside when it suddenly rolled backward and glided into the lake before flipping upside down. “It seems that the vehicle was not securely locked,” said an eyewitness. The police have taken cognizance of the matter. [KNT]