REGIONAL

Night temperatures plunged to sub-zero level again in Kashmir with Gulmarg remaining the coldest place in the Valley on Tuesday. The mercury also dropped in Jammu division and barring Katra and Bhaderwah, all meteorological department stations recorded below than the normal minimum temperatures. A meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar saw a fall by nearly four degree Celsius, recording a low of minus 2.2 against 1.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.2°C below the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar, he said. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against minus 0.2°C on the previous night. The temperature 1.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said. He said that Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 2.6°C on p...

A camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a tin shed were partially damaged in a fire incident in the Indira Nagar area of Srinagar on Tuesday morning. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a fire broke out from the top floor of the 73BN CRPF camp at Indra Nagar this morning. He said the was timely put off, however, the top floor of the camp was completely damaged and a tin shed was also damaged in the incident. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and the cause of the fire was not known immediately—(KNO)

In order to review the progress of Migrant Transit Accommodations, the meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex here on Monday. Besides, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Syed Shabir, the meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Secretary SMC, Deputy Director SDA, all concerned Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars, Tehsildar Relief and other concerned. At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner took a detailed review of the process regarding the construction of Migrant Transit Accommodations of 936 flats comprising 39 blocks being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 124 crore in the District. On the occasion, the DC asked the concerned Revenue authorities to allot addition...

A sweeper working in Srinagar Municipal Corporation died in a road accident in Soura area of Srinagar on Monday. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Feroz Ahmad Sheikh of Bijbehara, at present Aachar Soura, was injured after being hit by a vehicle in Soura area today. He said the locals rushed him to SKIMS Soura for treatment, however, he succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, Police have taken cognizance of the incident—(KNO)

Night temperatures recorded a dip at most places in Kashmir Valley with Gulmarg being the coldest place at minus 4.4°C on Monday. A meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar saw a fall by nearly two degree Celsius, recording a low of 1.6°C against 3.5°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.2°C above the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar, he said. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against 2.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 0.6°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said. He said that Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.6°C against minus 5.0°C on previous night and it was 0.6°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, he said. Kokernag recorded a low of0.3°C against 1.3°C on t...

Hotel and lodge owners here on Monday raised concern over the loss of business over the past several years and demanded immediate restoration of the ‘Darbar move’, a practice under which the government functioned six months each in Jammu Srinagar. The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration stopped the age-old practice in June last year after moving to e-office to ensure smooth functioning of the Civil Secretariat in the twin capitals in all the 12 months, thus saving Rs 200 crore per year on shifting of offices. “The business in Jammu used to thrive before the start of the direct train to Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine (in 2014). The COVID-19 outbreak and the government decision to end the Darbar move has dealt a severe blow to our busines...

The authorities on Monday initiated disciplinary action against 92 employees for remaining absent from duties in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a district-wide drive was held at the direction of Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr. Basharat Qayoom during which 92 employees were found absent. The deputy commissioner has issued directions to the concerned officials to initiate disciplinary action against these employees. He added the heads of concerned offices have also been asked to explain the lack of supervision. Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Anantnag Dr. Basharat Qayoom said there is a zero-tolerance policy towards absenteeism and lack of punctuality. He also said biometric attendance systems have been inst...

A Delhi Court dismissed the bail plea filed for senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan in an alleged militancy funding case, Live Law reported. Khan, who has been in judicial custody since August 14, 2017, has been accused of "creating unrest" in the Kashmir valley by the National Investigation Agency. He was arrested from his residence in Srinagar on July 24, 2017. Taking note of the fact that charges have already been framed against Khan - which have not been stayed or set aside by the High Court, Additional Sessions Judge Shailender Malik of Patiala House Courts said that the court cannot re-appreciate the evidence at the stage of bail. "No doubt the court by the mandate of Section 43-D(5) of UA(P) Act needs to examine the facts objectively with a limited purpose to see whe...

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres conferred a Kashmiri journalist, Samaan Lateef with a prestigious climate change award. The black-tie event at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York was attended by the UN Secretary-General, UN ambassadors, high-level UN officials, Hollywood celebrities, humanitarians, corporate and cultural organizations, and media from around the globe. Samaan Lateef according to local news agency- Kashmir Dot Com was awarded the Bronze Medal, a citation, and a cash prize for The Prince Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prize for Coverage of Climate Change. Samaan Lateef's stories have appeared in several media outlets. Emilio Godoy of Mexico has been awarded the Gold Medal and Kourosh Ziabari of Iran with the Silver Medal. (KDC)

A 17-year-old girl jumped in the river Jhelum in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday even as search and rescue operation has been launched. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the girl, a student of 9th standard, jumped in the river near Jamia bridge. He said following the incident, locals and police rushed to the spot to launch search and rescue operation. He added the searches were going on when the reports last came in—(KNO)