Kashmir Guardian

04/03/2023

Watch this report by Context de Kashmir

27/03/2021

Cow shed damaged in Naina Sangam fire incident

Cow Shed was completely damaged after it catched fire from nearby transformer in Naina Sangam area of Anantnag district.

Local that a massive fire broke out late last evening at cowshed belonging to Bashor Ahmad Sofi in Naina Sangam.

However, fire tenders, locals rushed to the spot and doused the flames and put fire under control.

In the mishap cowshed got fully damaged.

The owners of the cowshed alleged that they had repeatedly requested PDD department to shift transformer from there as it was very close to the cowshed.

They said this cowshed catched fire several times due to this transformer, but it was brought under control in initial stage.

They requested authorities to take cognizance of the issue.

22/03/2021

Delhi Kashmir, based photographer launched fashion magazine in Mumbai

New Delhi 20 March : MD Xavier, a Delhi based photographer and Peerzada Waseem a photograher from Kashmir, Wednesday launched a fashion magazine in Mumbai in presence of several known figures of bollywood.

MD Xavier, a renowned celebrity photographer has shot several top actors and iconic faces from the film industry and his pictures speak for his creative skills.

After this endeavor, both the photographers have established themselves as a known name in fashion photography in India.

As per the reports, the magazine will feature top models of the industry.

One of the most powerful fashion photographers of all time, Xavier has worked in both editorial and advertising campaigns with some of the biggest faces in the industry.

At the inaugural launch, Aijaz Khan, Rizwan Kalshyan, Suny Chauhan, hunyla khan Shahida Bashir, Rehan,Kavita Rajput, Hamid .
And 10 Kashmiri models were present, who congratulated the two fashion photographers on their endeavor and wished them luck.

The photographers later on thanked Designer Print City Amir Chan, who helped them in organizing the launching event.

They also thanked Tariq Ahmad, Shah Adnan and Mohsin Andrabi for supporting them during the shoot in Kashmir

10/03/2021

55 RR organises Kabaddi Tournament in Watchi

A Kabaddi Tournament was organised in Wachi, district Shopian by *55 Rashtriya Rifles, 12 Sect RR, Victor Force*. A total of 6 teams participated in *Wachi Pro Kabaddi League.*

Each team displayed fantastic sportsmanship and exemplary skills in the game.

Flabbergasted with the Pro Kabaddi League, locals are hoping that this will become a permanent fixture in their school sports calender.

Post event interaction with players brought out that these kind of sport events will help in awakening emotions, achieve positive changes and nurture sportsmen right from the grassroot.

Locals feel that these kind of gestures will lead to a stronger amicable bond between Awam and Indian Army.

03/02/2021

*Elections for DDC Chairman in Kulgam: Most members await PAGD decision*

*CPI-M, NC in race to grab chairman seat*

Jahangeer Ganaie

Kulgam, Feb 03 (KNO): The elections for DDC chairman seat in Kulgam district is scheduled to be held on February 06 , but most members are still waiting for PAGD decision in this regard.

Several DDC elected members told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are still waiting for the decision of PAGD and after that any decision will be taken.

Senior leader of CPIM and former MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami said that winning parties of the district are meeting on February 05 and after that any decision will be taken.

Asked who the candidate of the party was if chairman will be from CPI-M, he said that after all party meeting, “our district leaders of the party will meet and take final decision in this regard.”

It is pertinent to mention here CPI-M has won five DDC seats and winners include Mohammed Afzal from Pombai, M Abbas Rather, Akhthera, Gh Mohidin Lone and Ruby Jan.

Former MLA Homeshalibugh and District President National Conference Ab Majeed Larmi said that they will follow all directions of PAGD and Chairman here from PAGD.

He said it hardly matters for them with whosoever party candidate will belong but chairman will be from PAGD.

Notably, five NC candidates namely Mohammed Ibrahim from Pahloo, Ishtiyak Ganaie from Devsar A, Jameela Akhther from DH Pora, Shazia Poswal from Manzgam and Romey Jan from Qaimoh A have won DDC elections on NC ticket.

Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh who won DDC elections on PDP from Kund seat told Kashmir news observer that he is waiting for PAGD decision in this regard and whatever directions we will have in this regard will follow in letter and spirit.

Besides Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh, Gulzar Ahmad Dar from Dk Marg has won DDC elections on PDP ticket in Kulgam district.

Anayatullah Rather, Congress leader from Kulgam who has won DDC election from Frisal said that Congress has two candidates and they can't get chairman seat.

He said they will be part of the meeting on February 05 and after that any decision will be taken.

Besides Anayatullah Rather, Riyaz Ahmad from Devsar B has won DDC elections on Congress ticket.

Sources said that National Conference and CPIM who both have 5 seats are in race to get the chairman seat.

They said that it is likely that one among Mohammed Abbas Rather who is PG MPhil in English and has won on CPIM ticket and Jameela Akhther who has won on NC ticket from DH Pora will be chairman of the DDC council in Kulgam—(KNO)

03/02/2021

*COVID-19: Trains services likely to resume by Feb 17 after 10 months*

*Service to resume after Govt issues SOPs: Railway officials*

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Feb 03 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir administration in collaboration with the Railway authorities is mulling to resume the train services by February 17 after a gap of ten months, official sources said.

People from different areas of Kashmir said that public transport is normally functional and now government has also decided to open educational institutions, then why only services have been kept suspended.

“If train service will resume, passengers can skip Qazigund -Banihall portion which remains very slippery in winters and it can reduce traffic jam on national highway as well,” Subzar Ahmad, a resident of Qazigund told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Saqib Yousuf, Chief Manager Railways said that once government will come up with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to Covid-19, train service will resume in J&K.

He said department suffered losses in crores but decision was taken for wellbeing of people.

A top official in the administration told KNO that train services in Jammu and Kashmir will resume by February 17.

He said that government will come up with SOPs in this regards in next few days.

Pertinently, train services in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended on March 19 last year's after outbreak of Covid-19.

Notably, Banihal-Baramulla Train services resumed on 11 November 2019 after remaining suspended for around 100 days after abrogation of special status of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Railway officials had said that railway suffered a loss of around 2 crore for remaining suspended from 05 August 2019 to November 11, 2019 after revocation of special status—(KNO)

24/01/2021

DC Shopian tours sub-division Zainpora, inspects post snowfall restoration of essential services, road connectivity

Stresses on prompt response to public grievances,accountability in delivery of public services

SHOPIAN JANUARY 24:- The Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Shrikant Suse today toured sub-division zainpora and various areas of tehsil Shopian to take stock of snow clearance and availability of essential commodities across the district.

Deputy Commissioner visited SDH Zainpora along with SDM Zainpora , BMO Zainpora and inspected various wards and sections of the hospital including emergency, operation theatre, ECG unit, X-ray, gynae, post operation ward, labs etc. He enquired about the availability of medicines, diagnostics and other facilities available in the hospital.

While interacting with the patients and their attendants, DC enquired about their wellbeing and the facilities provided to them.

DC also interacted with people from moolu, trenz, chitragam villages from tehsil Shopian and monitored snow clearance operations in these areas.He also interacted with people and enquired about the availability of essentials in these areas.

He was informed that all major roads including Shopian-Srinagar, Shopian-Bijbehara and Shopian-Kulgam were cleared off snow under the priority first. He was apprised that various engineering agencies, including R&B , MED and Municipal Committee Shopian are carrying out the snow clearance work at full pace and majority of roads have been cleared while as remaining which includes link, lanes and by-lanes shall be cleared in the shortest time.

DC called upon putting all efforts to ensure speedy snow clearance and prompt response to the public grievances post snowfall.

Emphasizing on better healthcare facilities he directed health department to provide to the general public at all hospitals and to ensure all doctors and paramedical staff follow duty roster religiously and better patient care is guaranteed.

To curb black marketing, profiteering and hoarding, the DC directed FCSCA department to conduct market checking and take strict action against the offenders.

He also directed PDD to ensure timely restoration of of damaged transformers and earliest restoration of non functioning water schemes to Jal Shakti Department.Besides instructions were given to remain fully functional to meet any emergency situation.

Similarly Additional Deputy Commissioner Shopian, ACR Shopian also visited District Hospital Shopian, SDH Keller to inspect functioning of health services and Kellar, Shopian market and reviewed snow clearance operations.

Earlier on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner, SDM Zainpora and all Tehsildars reviewed status of restoration of essential services in their respective jurisdictions.

18/01/2021

*Month long National Road Safety, 2021 awareness programme*

*IGP Kashmir flagged off Bike Rally in Srinagar,appreciated the effort put in to emphasize on the safety and awareness*

Srinagar 18 January
Traffic Police City Srinagar flagged off a month long National Road Safety, 2021 awareness programme. At the inaugural function A Bike Rally on Road Safety Awareness was organized from Traffic Police Office Polo View Srinagar, which run through Radio Kashmir, Abdullah Bridge, Via Convent School, L.D Hospital, Sheergari to JehangirChowk, Dalgate, R.M. Bagh and culminated back at Polo View.
The motto of the event is to make people aware to discourage strictly avoid and stop underage youth from driving and others to abide Traffic rules and signages while driving. The message was delivered via PA system and placards and through rally show.

The Rally was flagged off by Sh. Vijay Kumar-IPS IGP Kashmir Zone. Besides Dr,.Haseeb Mughal-JKPS SSP Srinagar, MR. Javid Ahmad Koul-JKPS SSP Traffic City Srinagar, Ms. SheemaNabiQasba-IPS SP East, Dr. Zahoor Ahmad-JKPS ASP Traffic City Srinagar, Sh. Gh. Hassan-JKPS Dy SP Traffic City West, Sh. Imtiyaz Ahmad Dy. SP Traffic City North, Sh. Sheikh Aadil Dy. SP Traffic City South and other Officers and Officials from Traffic City Srinagar and District Police Srinagar attended the inaugural function and flagged off the motor rally. Gods Lap NGO collaborated with Traffic City Srinagar in the event.

Bikers all across City Srinagar graced the occasion. The bikers in a disciplined formation carrying placards and signages for dissemination of information to all passerby and commuters. The message was given vide publicity and people are requested through all channels of communication to abide traffic rules, respect road safety laws and save lives.
Speaking on the occasion Sh. Vijay Kumar-IPS IGP Kashmir appreciated the effort put in to emphasize on the safety and awareness in this regard. While addressing

themedia IGP Kashmir said that the safety of the riders& passerby is the prime concern and need of the hour. Keeping in view the Annual National level data of fatalities grievous& minor injuries, road safety has become a challenging and collective job of all. He congratulated the youth for coming forward together to generate awareness on road safety. He further expressed the concern over the rising rate of accidents and expressed that the Traffic department is committed to work towards reducing such incidents and appreciated the role played by its men on ground, youth and media. IGP Kashmir appreciated the initiative of Traffic Police for creating such events and hoped that these events will surely make the society to become aware of all safety measures.

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16/01/2021

Covid-19 vaccination drive starts at Zainapora Shopian

Covid-19 vaccination drive starts on Saturday at SDH Zainapora in presence of DDC Shopian Choudhary Yaaeen (IAS).

Notably, the ist shots were given to health care workers like other places and drive was started pan India by PM Modi

The officers who were present on the occasion include SDM Zainapora Mushtaq Rasool( KAS) CMO Shopian Dr Ramesh Malla, Deputy CMO Dr Rubina, Tehsildar Zainapora Fida Hussian, BDO Tehsildar Dr. Tarique Padder(KAS), BMO Zainapora Dr khalid Abbas and others.

Speaking on the occasion, DDC Shopian said that there are 1064 health workers in Shopian and we have constituted a team of five employees including two from health, one from police , one from education and one Asha to give covid vaccines to health workers and others.

It is pertinent to mention here that around 4,000 health workers are being given Covid-19 on Saturday

15/01/2021

*FCSCA dept Pulwama faces staff shortage*

*Vacant posts referred to JKSSB: Dir FCSCA*

Jahangeer Ganaie

Pulwama, Jan 15 (KNO): The Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) department in South Kashmir's Pulwama is facing a severe dearth of staff as no recruitment has taken a place for the district since last one decade.

According to a source in the department, there is not enough manpower in the department for normal functioning due to which one employee/licence holder is holding charge of 3 to 5 stores at a time.

"An employee of the department who is a CA patient had to run pillar to post to get his leave sanctioned for his treatment as there is no alternative available to the department who can run the stores," sources said.

Source added that since last one decade, over 120 employees have reached superannuation but at their place, the department has hardly got 15 to 20 employees in this period.

They said that department advertised over 100 posts of storekeeper, kandaman and deport assistant since 2013, however, due to unknown reasons the recruitment process was never completed.

"In other districts the persons who were selected through the same recruitment process have got promoted as well, however, this district continues to grapple under staff dearth," sources said.

He said that since last one decade, the population has increased manifold but no attention has been given towards enhancing the staff in the department.

He also said that even watchmen and helpers are holding charge of 2-3 sale depots besides that officials posted either at district headquarter or tehsil supply office headquarters are holding charges of one or more sale outlets in addition to their duties which create impediments for the smooth functioning of the office.

Sources said that in the year 2014 and 2015 then assistant director of the department who was also chairman of the recruitment process framed shortlist but used different criteria forcing some aspiring candidates to take the case to the court.

"The second recruitment process remained withheld too because some shortlisted candidates from first recruitment put a stay on it and asked authorities to first complete their recruitment process. It has been over four years have passed but the matter is at standstill," they said.

Director of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer affairs Bashir Ahmad Bhat said that all pending recruitments and vacant posts have been referred to JKSSB as per government orders.

"We are hopefully vacant posts will be filled at earliest so that problems of the department will be over," he said—(KNO)