REGIONAL

Clubbing of government schools in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district has left more than 50 school buildings vacant and dilapidated, now serving as hotspots for anti-social activities in various villages. An official, wishing to be anonymous, told the news agency KNO that after the government initiative to merge 2,546 schools in the Kashmir zone to address an imbalanced student-teacher ratio, the neglected school structures have become breeding grounds for illegal activities. Locals also expressed concern, saying these abandoned school buildings are now being exploited by anti-social elements. They said these dilapidated school buildings should be transformed into libraries or allocated to other departments for community benefit. “Government must hand over these abandoned buildings...

A trooper soldier allegedly shot himself dead with his service rifle in the border town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday. Reliable sources told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that an army trooper (name withheld) while moving from his home to Uri shot himself with his service rifle. The soldier was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. They said that the incident took place in the Mohura area of Uri. Meanwhile, police took cognizance of this incident. (KS)

The health sector in Jammu Kashmir is facing threats from new communicable diseases as well as the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, according to officials. The rising drug abuse among the young population is also leading to multiple health issues. A Vision Document 2047 from the Health Department, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), highlights the threat of new communicable diseases/variants such as EBOLA, Bird flu, Swine Flu, Zika, and Coronavirus, which are emerging at an unprecedented rate. It also mentions the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases like anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Officials said 25 percent of people have stomach cancer followed by colorectal (16%) and lung cancer (13.2%) which are more common amo...

The forests of Jammu and Kashmir which comprise around fifty percent of its geographical area are highly vulnerable to climate change, the fast-track development projects on infrastructure that is causing a stress on ecology is one of the major threats to it. The official documents available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) also state that the unregulated grazing and fragile ecosystems of Himalayas were also some of the major threats to the ecology and forests of Jammu and Kashmir. The officials have mentioned some of the threats to forests of Jammu and Kashmir which reads, “UT of J&K is highly vulnerable to Climate Change and fast track development projects on infrastructure are causing stress on ecology.” It also said that the unregulated grazing and fragile ...

Almost a decade later, the Maternity Hospital at Kangan in Ganderbal is still incomplete causing inconvenience to people. The residents of Kangan have been waiting for the completion of the Maternity-cum-Child Care Hospital for the last eight years. The project, which is being executed by the J&K Housing Board at a cost of INR 27.66 crore, has missed multiple deadlines for completion since the construction began in 2014. The building has been completed but the hospital lacks necessary medical equipment and other infrastructure. According to details, the land for the hospital was identified in 2005 when Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Jammu Kashmir Housing Board was directed to execute the work on the hospital that was supposed to come up at an ...

In the Gaza Strip, a young Palestinian child recently underwent a surgical procedure without the use of anesthesia, reciting verses from the Quran for comfort while a doctor operated on the child's leg. This poignant scene unfolded against the backdrop of a strict Israeli-imposed siege, which has left medical facilities in the region struggling with a shortage of vital supplies, including anesthesia. The ongoing conflict in the region has posed numerous challenges for the Palestinian people. The blockade of Gaza has placed immense pressure on the healthcare system, resulting in a scarcity of crucial medical resources. One of the repercussions of this dire situation is the shortage of anesthesia, essential for alleviating pain and discomfort during surgical procedures. In this remarka...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Rohingya man in J&K’s Jammu city for suspected terror links. Official sources said that NIA sleuths on Wednesday arrested the Rohingya refugee, identified as Zafar Alam in Jammu city. He has been arrested for suspected terror links in connection with the Manipur improvised explosive device (IED) blast. Sources said further details will be shared later.--IANS

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Jammu Kashmir Kupwara district on Tuesday. Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was also present during the function. “I congratulate ‘Amhi Punekar’ and 41RR of the Indian Army for their historic initiative. Great Shivaji’s statue will be a source of inspiration for people & army’s Bravehearts”, LG said on X. ” The great warrior and founder of Swarajya, Shivaji was also the fountainhead of high standard of morality, right conduct and respect of all religions and sects. He was a born leader, who scripted a new history of India through his mesmerizing victory against the enemy, ” he said. “By unleashing his military geni...

Mobile internet has been suspended in parts of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir for security reasons, officials said on Tuesday. Directions to the Telecom Service Providers to suspend mobile data services in Wampora and Hunipora areas of the south Kashmir district were issued by Vijay Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir Zone, the officials said. The ADGP'S order mentions the possibility of mobile data services being misused by anti-national elements, which may cause deterioration in public order, the officials added. The Telecom Service Providers were directed to suspend mobile data within three km radius of these areas from 7 pm on November 5 till 7 pm on November 8, the officials said.–(PTI)

Jammu Kashmir Home Department on Tuesday ordered transfer and posting of two senior IPS officers with Vidhi Kumar Birde posted as new Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone. According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has been transferred and posted as ADGP Law and Order J&K. "Vijay Kumar, IPS (AGMUT: 1997), ADGP Kashmir, is transferred and posted as ADGP (Law & Order), J&K. A post in the rank of ADGP viz. ADGP (Law & Order), J&K, is temporarily added to the J&K Segment of AGMUT Cadre, in terms of 2nd proviso to sub-rule (2) of Rule 4 of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, for a period of two years or till the post is held by said officer, whichever is earlier," reads the ...