REGIONAL

National Conference (NC) on Monday expressed concern over widespread damage to apple orchards in Kulgam, Shopian areas following a heavy hailstorm. In a joint statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Senior leader Sakina Itoo, MP Hasnain Masoodi, JKNC Agriculture Committee Chairman Javed Dar said the intense hailstorm damaged hundreds of orchards in Kulgam and Shopian belt just when the harvest was about to commence. "Our fruit growers have been facing increasingly challenging times in recent years, with continuous lockdowns and natural disasters taking a toll on their livelihoods. Once again, nature's destructive forces have severely damaged the nearly ripe produce. For many, this year's harvest is a pivotal moment in their lives, as they have invested all th...

In a heart wrenching incident, throat-slit bodies of a couple were found in Rajouri district on Tuesday, officials said. A police official told GNS that the bodies of the couple—Mohammad Azam and her wife Gulzar Begum—were found inside their home in Bagla village of Kandi area in Rajouri district. Soon after the information, a team of police and security forces reached the spot and took the bodies in their possession for medico-legal formalities. Asked if there was militancy angle with regard to the incident, the official said that “everything will be unravelled during investigations.” “A case has been registered and further investigations were underway,” he added. When contacted DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Dr Haseeb Mughal, told GNS that it is a case of brutal murder, and an inh...

For over a decade, a critical water supply scheme in the Dangarpora Arihal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has remained inoperative, leaving residents grappling with a persistent water crisis. The locals of the area told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the water supply scheme, initiated in 2009, efficiently served the community until 2011. However, the scheme's lifeline, a well, collapsed in 2011, rendering the entire system defunct. Since then, the local population has been plagued by the unavailability of clean drinking water. According to Mohammad Shaban, a resident of the area, although the authorities attempted to rectify the situation by constructing two additional wells, the water they produced was deemed unsuitable for consumption. We have repeate...

Danishwar Hameed Despite claims of development, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Devsar in Kulgam district continues to run in an old wood-type building while the new building sanctioned for it is yet to be constructed. Reports said that more than three dozen villages in the area are dependent on health care services on this PHC. However, due to the slow pace of construction work, the new building has not been completed so far. According to locals, the health center lacks a modern building and infrastructure. “The foundation of a new building was laid in 2008 but it seems the government will take two more decades to complete it. The reason obviously is that we have no such representative who could have pressed for its construction,” Abdul Rehman, a local Resident, said. This ...

All parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman and Muttahida Majlis-e -Ulema Patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday expressed great anguish and grief at the loss of previous human lives including women and children in the latest escalation in the Palestinian-Israel conflict. In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Mirwaiz said that the roots of this conflict are again in its colonial past -in the decisions taken by the colonial masters while they ruled, the tragic impact of which is being suffered by the locals till date. He said that Palestinian's have been gravely wronged and are suffering as a consequence of the conflict. “Routinely their young, women and even children are killed, their homes are bombed and destroyed, they are subjected to humiliation and ...

In a shocking incident, a youth has been arrested in north Kashmir's Bandipora district on charges of allegedly raping a minor girl. The accused, whose name has been withheld, was apprehended by the police in connection with the heinous crime. A senior police official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll, the accused youth is currently in police custody and is being held behind bars. The official stated that a case has been registered, with further investigation underway. This distressing incident marks the second such occurrence in Bandipora district within a week. Previously, a lecturer in the same district was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for reportedly tearing a student's hijab during a class session. (KS)

Weatherman on Wednesday forecast widespread intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall over higher reaches of Jammu Kashmir from October 14-18. A meteorological department official here told GNS that mainly clear weather was expected in next 24 hours and on October 13, "partly cloudy becoming cloudy" towards evening was expected. "There is possibility of rain/snow over higher reaches towards night at scattered places of J-K." He said widespread intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall over higher reaches was likely with over 75% chances from October 14-18. There was "significant drop in temperature expected across during these days. The weatherman department has also urged farmers to postpone harvesting of crops from October 14-18 He said there may be temporarily...

One person lost his life while another was injured in a road mishap in Rajouri district on Wednesday evening. An official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that a road accident was reported in the Kesar Gala Saranu area of Rajpuri in which two people sustained serious injuries and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The officer, however, said that one of the injured persons succumbed to his injuries while another was undergoing treatment. A police officer also confirmed this road mishap and identified the deceased as Mehmood Hussain, son of Haji Munir Hussain of Kalakote (26) while the injured have been identified as Mohd Asif, son of Nisar Hussain of Margan, Ujhan (19). The officer said that a case has been registered and further investigation has been initia...

Police alongwith security forces arrested militant associate linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT/ TRF and recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition from his possession in Baramulla. in a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir Scroll said that On 10 Oct 2023, on a specific input of militant movement in Ushkara area, a joint Naka was established at Ushkara by Baramulla Police, Army 46 RR,MI and 53 Bn CRPF. "During naka checking suspicious movement of one person coming towards naka point by foot was observed. While seeing police party and security forces, the suspect person tried to flee from the spot but alert naka party apprehended him tactfully. During preliminary questioning, he was identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Hamid Bhat resident of Ushkara B...

Anti-corruption Bureau on Wednesday trapped and arrested Tehsil Supply officer of food civil supplies and consumer affairs department in Rajouri district while accepting bribe. Official sources told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that ACB apprehended Mohd Riaz son of Hassan Mohd resident of Rehan A/P Gujjar Mandi Rajouri TSO food and supply Rajouri while accepting bribe. They said that officer has taken into custody while further investigation has been taken up.(KS)